Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Eating disorders
What can cause an eating disorder?

It’s unlikely that one single thing will lead to an eating disorder. There is often a combination of risk factors, including genetics, emotional factors and cultural influences.

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Who gets eating disorders?

No matter your size, shape, age, abilities, gender identity, sexuality, cultural or linguistic background, economic status or location, anyone can experience an eating disorder.

Do you know someone at risk?

Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but it’s not possible to tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by their appearance.
Body image
What is body image?

Body image is the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs we have about our bodies and how we look, including our shape, size, weight, and the way our body functions for us.

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Body image issues don’t discriminate.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor body image and body dissatisfaction. Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures.

Body image programs

Butterfly’s programs for young people, professionals and parents are evidence based and designed to provide practical strategies, skills and resources to support positive body image and healthy behaviours in young Australians.
Get support
Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Whether for you, a friend, a family member, a client, or anyone else that you care about, Butterfly is here to offer support.

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Butterfly’s National Helpline

Our helpline is free and confidential, and our specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat, seven days a week.

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Find eating disorder professionals, services and treatment nearest to you, through our Referral Database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Professionals
Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Our Helpline and support services are not only for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, but also for clinicians and other health and education professionals.

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Butterfly referral database

Butterfly's Referral Database provides a directory of professionals, screened for an understanding of eating disorders, so people Australia-wide can find appropriate care..

Medicare items for eating disorders

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders may be eligible for new Medicare rebates under the Eating Disorder Medicare Plan.
School & Youth Professionals
Programs for people working with young people

Butterfly offers presentations, resources and workshops to teachers, professionals, young people and parents on the risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders.

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Body Kind Schools

Support young people’s body image by joining Butterfly’s annual free schools awareness initiative. Finding ways to feel positive about your body can be challenging but we can all try to be kinder.

Butterfly Body Bright

A new whole of school program to promote positive body image and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards the body, eating, and physical activity in primary school-aged children.
Who we are
About Butterfly

Butterfly changes lives by providing support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of those with eating disorders and body image issues.

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A Voice for Change

As the voice of lived experience, Butterfly advocates on behalf of people impacted by negative body image, eating disorders, and those who support and care for them.

Our Partners and Supporters

Butterfly is extremely grateful for the passion and commitment of our dedicated corporate and community partners.
Get involved
Ways to get involved

There are many different ways you can get involved and help bring about positive change for those experiencing eating disorders and negative body image. You are a vital part of the solution.

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Our Impact

Established nearly 20 years, Butterfly’s multi-skilled team continue to make a significant impact within the mental health sector.

Share Your Story

Every experience of an eating disorder is unique. Sharing stories from personal experience allows for reflection, understanding and connection.

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Home

Blog

A space for sharing all things body image and eating disorders related. All blog entries are written by our staff, those with a lived experience and professionals.

Behind the eating disorder app resource, Love Your Kite

Love your Kite is a practical resource in the form of an app that supports people on their Eating Disorder recovery. Co-founder Genevieve Mora shares how the app came to fruition, her experience of recovering from Anorexia, and how speaking up, sharing her story and spreading awareness has now become her purpose in life.

Managing eating disorder relapses amid COVID-19 and lockdowns

Relapse can be a normal part of the recovery process, so is not a sign of failure if eating disorder thinking and/or behaviours return, especially during stressful times.

Ambivalence to Eating Disorder Recovery

Having ambivalence towards eating disorder recovery is common; a part of you might really want to cling to your illness, while at the same time another part of you wants to free yourself from the hold your eating disorder has over you. Learn why this is the case and how to overcome ambivalence to eating disorder recovery.

Butterfly Prevention Services – Working to Change the Picture Since 2007

Since 2007, Butterfly's Education and Prevention programs have been at the heart of ensuring children are equipped with strong role-modelling and messaging that builds body confidence. Written by Helen Bird, Manager of Education Services, find out why our programs are so important and why we need your help to #ChangeThePicture of Body Dissatisfaction Starting Young. #DonateNow to our Education and Prevention Services.

No Diet Day: HAES Dietitian Fiona Willer’s Thoughts

Dietitian Fiona Willer shares why she is still ditching diets, years after being diagnosed with an eating disorder, and why she is dedicated to being a Health at Every Size (HAES) practitioner.

How to choose recovery during lockdowns and beyond

Particularly during stressful periods, it’s not uncommon to use your eating disorder as a coping mechanism. Here’s how to choose recovery.

What is weight bias and fatphobia, and how can we challenge it?

“Specifically, research has consistently shown that increased exposure and close contact with those who living in larger bodies leads to reduced weight bias.” Weight bias and fatphobia is harmful, but there are ways to challenge it.

Butterfly Foundation CEO on National Communications Charter Launch

Today saw the launch of the National Communications Charter for the suicide prevention sector, an initiative that aims to help organisations working in this space make a formal commitment to the way we communicate about suicide and mental health.

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Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.