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Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly Foundation represents all people affected by eating disorders and negative body image — a person with the illness, their family and their friends. As a leading national voice in supporting their needs, Butterfly highlights the realities of seeking treatment for recovery, and advocates for improved services from both government and independent sources.

Butterfly operates Australia’s only national support line for eating disorders and body image issues - 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE), staffed by counsellors and psychologists experienced in assisting with eating disorders. It also provides a wide range of services for service providers and recovery groups. The support line is available Monday to Friday 8am to midnight AEST, seven days a week.

Because Butterfly recognises that eating disorders often arise from poor body image, it delivers a range of Positive Body Image workshops to schools and workplaces through its education program. It has a strong media presence to raise awareness of Butterfly’s perspective in community debates about body image and eating disorders. Throughout its work Butterfly 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 National Helpline

  • Call 1800 ED HOPE / 1800 33 4673 (8am - midnight AEST / 7 days a week)
  • Web chat support
  • Check the website for more details

Recommended links

Last reviewed: July 2020

Information from this partner

Found 20 results

Who does it affect? - Butterfly Foundation

Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures. There is hope and help available to you.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Myths about eating disorders - Butterfly Foundation

Eating Disorders are grossly misunderstood - understanding is paramount to improving prevention, early identification and help-seeking.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Binge eating disorder - Butterfly Foundation

Binge Eating Disorder is a serious mental illness characterised by regular episodes of binge eating. Click for a fact sheet.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Risks and warning signs - Butterfly Foundation

The factors that contribute to the onset of an eating disorder are complex. No single cause of eating disorders has been identified.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Health not weight - Butterfly Foundation

We live in a diet culture that can be harmful to our body image. We’re here to tell you that health can exist on a spectrum of body sizes.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Recovery from an eating disorder - Butterfly Foundation

Recovery from an eating disorder is a deeply personal journey, which looks and feels different for everyone. We’re here to support you.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Bulimia Nervosa - Butterfly Foundation

Bulimia Nervosa is a serious, potentially life threatening mental illness. It is paramount to remember bulimia is not a “lifestyle choice.”

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Can body image issues be serious? - Butterfly Foundation

It's normal to have moments of body dissatisfaction. However, if you find these feelings increasing, a more serious issue may be developing.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Anorexia Nervosa - Butterfly Foundation

Anorexia is a serious, potentially life threatening mental illness. Click here for a fact sheet on Anorexia Nervosa.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

Body image disorders - Butterfly Foundation

People who have poor, or negative body image are more vulnerable to developing disordered eating and eating disorders.

Read more on Butterfly Foundation website

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