About Butterfly
Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.
Butterfly changes lives by providing innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of our community.
Butterfly highlights the realities for those seeking treatment for recovery, and advocates for improved access to effective, affordable care. Throughout its work Butterfly also emphasises the critical importance of prevention and early intervention strategies in limiting the development of, and suffering from, negative body image and eating disorders.
Butterfly operates a National Helpline that includes support over the phone, via email and online, reaching 20,000 people each year. The Helpline is staffed by trained counsellors experienced in assisting with eating disorders and body image issues. We also provide a wide range of programs for service providers and recovery groups.
Download our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan
Download our FY2021-2022Snapshot of Activities
Because Butterfly recognises that eating disorders often arise from poor body image, we deliver a range of prevention programs including Positive Body Image workshops to schools and workplaces.
We use our strong social media presence to raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase help-seeking in relation to eating disorders and negative body image.
Butterfly coordinates the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) for the Commonwealth Government Department of Health, and we are committed to collaboration across the sector.
Our Vision
All people in Australia can live free of eating disorders and negative body image.
Our Mission
We work to prevent eating disorders and body image issues from occurring, to ensure that the best possible treatments are available, and that appropriate care and support is there for those affected.
Our History
Butterfly was founded by Claire Middleton in 2002, a mother of two daughters who had suffered from anorexia nervosa. Claire had become acutely aware of the lack of resources available and found it very difficult to find help for her daughters. Since then, Butterfly has established the National Helpline 1800 ED HOPE, programs for schools and teachers on body image, a youth program, programs for individuals with emerging eating disorders, programs for carers, and other community services.
