Yesterday was International No Diet Day, encouraging individuals to form a new relationship with their bodies and combating unhealthy, restrictive diets.
There are many forms of eating disorders. These are often characterised by individuals restricting the amount of food they consume, following extreme diets, overeating, obsession with body weight and size, exercising obsessively or a range of other physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms.
There are a range of digital mental health resources available to support individuals with an eating disorder or supporting someone with disordered eating. For more information on eating disorders and digital mental health resources you can view or download our factsheet ‘Digital Mental Health for Eating Disorders’.
Please note that eating disorders can lead to serious physical complications and digital resources are not designed to replace treatment. Please seek medical assistance if you have any concerns, regardless of your body weight.
Butterfly Foundation
1800 33 4673
Butterfly Foundation is a national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues. Their services include telephone and online counselling, referral, support, psychoeducation, information and moderated online support groups for anyone with an eating disorder or body image issues, their friends and family or anyone supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Eating Disorders Victoria
https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/
1300 550 236
Eating disorders Victoria was developed to connect Victorians affected by eating disorders with services, as well as providing information and telephone support. Their website provides information, resources, and stories of recovery. Eating Disorders Victoria provides information to individuals affected by eating disorders as well as workplaces, schools, communities, media and medical professionals.
Eating Disorders Queensland
https://eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au/
Eating Disorders Queensland is a non-for-profit organisation providing information, downloadable materials, videos and other resources to Queenslanders affected by eating disorders or body image issues. They also provide users information on referral pathways and therapeutic options.
National Eating Disorders Collaboration
The National Eating Disorders Collaboration is an Australian Department of Health initiative to build a safe, consistent and accessible system of care for people experiencing eating disorders. Their website includes information and links to research and resources for people affected by an eating disorder and health professionals.
Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders
https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/
The Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders provides online screening, assessment tools, information, and resources for individuals with eating disorders and their supporters. Their website also provides training, resources and information for health professionals, policy makers, and researchers.
Eating Disorders Families Australia
Eating Disorders Families Australia was developed to provide information and lived experiences to parent, carers and clinicians of young people with eating disorders. Their website includes information on eating disorders, support groups and answers to frequently asked questions.
Reach Out and Recover (ROAR)
https://reachoutandrecover.com.au/
Reach Out and Recover is an interactive tool to support people with eating disorders and body concerns and help them take their next steps towards recovery. Their website includes information on eating disorders and body image, how to seek help and treatment options.
The Shared Table
https://edqsquaredtable.com.au/
The Shared Table is an online meal support training program developed by Eating Disorders Australia to assist carers in the provision of meal support. The program is designed for carers supporting a loved one who is currently engaged in treatment.
Feed Your Instinct
https://feedyourinstinct.com.au/
Feed Your Instinct is an interactive tool designed to support parents of children and young people experiencing eating and/or body image problems. Their website includes information, resources and guidance for parents helping their children develop a better relationship with food, weight and their body, grouped under-eating, wellbeing, thinking and feeling.
Eating Disorders Carers Helpkit
https://eatingdisorderscarerhelpkit.com.au/
Eating Disorders Carers Helpkit was developed to provide carers with access to information, resources, improve their online support community and collaboration with health professionals. Their website includes quick tips, videos, additional readings, media, downloadables, publications, meal support training and online support for carers supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Centre for Clinical Interventions
Appearance Concerns, Body Dysmorphia, Disordered Eating
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself
The Centre for Clinical Intervention provides online information, self-help workbooks and modules for a range of mental health issues, including eating disorders and body image issues. Through their website, users can access self-help resources on appearance concerns, body dysmorphia and disordered eating.
ReachOut
Eating Disorders
https://au.reachout.com/mental-health-issues/eating-disorders
ReachOut provides information, articles and peer support to young people, parents and schools on a range of topics, including eating disorders. Their website includes information on types of eating disorders, support services, recovering from an eating disorder, and how to help a friend. ReachOut also offers peer support through anonymous, moderated discussion forums.
Beyond Blue Online Forum
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue provides information, resources and online peer support for a range of mental health conditions including eating disorders. The online forum includes a range of discussions relating to eating disorders and how to support someone.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline provides users with information, counselling and support to kids, teens, young adults, parents and schools on a range of mental health conditions including eating disorders. Their website includes information on eating disorders specific to each age groups and the different types of eating disorders.
Headspace
Headspace is a not-for-profit youth organisation providing information and support to young Australians and their families. Their website includes information to help young people understand eating disorders, self-help tips for recovery, how to support someone with an eating disorder as well as peer-support forums for people affected by eating disorders, body image issues, or supporting someone with an eating disorder.
SANE Australia
Eating Disorders
SANE Australia provides straightforward and concise information, treatment guides and peer support for a range of mental health concerns. Their website includes information on eating disorders including symptoms, types of eating disorders, and ow to access help.
Raising Childern Network
Raising Children Network was developed to provide Australian parents with information and guidance through every stage of parenting, from pregnancy to adulthood. Their website includes information on eating disorders and body image issues in young people between the ages of 9 and 18 and how parents can support their children or access treatment.