Funding For Australia's Only Dedicated Eating Disorder Support Line Runs Dry

A support line for Australians with eating disorders will be axed next year, as a result of the national overhaul to all mental health services.

According to ABC News, the Butterfly Foundation - Australia’s only dedicated support service for those with conditions such as anorexia and bulimia – only has another 12 months of guaranteed funding.

"To be honest, it fills me with horror because at the moment, this is the only national dedicated service for people with eating disorders," said Butterfly Foundation chief executive Christine Morgan.

She added that the Butterfly Foundation assists more than 1,000 people each month.

The Federal Department of Health is reportedly planning instead to “bring together and streamline access to existing evidence-based information, advice and digital mental health treatment” through a “centralised telephone and web portal.”

Morgan is concerned, however, that patients with eating disorders who need the assistance of specific services will not receive the “appropriate care and counselling” from a general mental health line.

It’s worth noting that eating disorders carry high mortality rates. Anorexia, for instance, has the highest death rate of any mental illness. (About one in 10 people who suffer from an eating disorder die within 10 years.)

Dr. Liz Scott of St. Vincent Hospital is similarly arguing in favour of keeping the Butterfly Foundation.

"If this was something like cancer affecting young people, we wouldn't be saying, 'well let's take away the phone support line' or 'let's withdraw services'. There would be a major community outcry," she told the ABC.

The fates of 20 more mental health groups – including Lifeline and SANE Australia – are yet to be decided.

If you need support, you can call The Butterfly Foundation at 1800 ED HOPE / 1800 33 4673, or visit them online.

Support is also available from Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as the following organisations:

Beyond Blue

Headspace

Photo: iStock.