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You are here: Support for Australians experiencing eating disorders › Our Services › Butterfly National Helpline – Eating Disorder and Body Image Issues Support

Butterfly National Helpline – Eating Disorder and Body Image Issues Support

"If you are worried about yourself or someone in your care, the best thing you can do is talk to someone."
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We're open 8am – midnight AEST, seven days a week.

Over January, you may find we are busier than usual. Please bear with us, we really want to support you. If you can't get through, please leave a voicemail or email us at support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Over the Australia Day long weekend we will be open 26 and 27 January, and closed on Monday 28 January (national public holiday).

 

Free support for any Australian concerned by an eating disorder or body image issue.

Our qualified counsellors are experienced in supporting people affected by an eating disorder with information, counselling, and guidance on treatment options. 

Emergencies

Butterfly Foundation for eating disorders does not operate a crisis line and cannot provide medical help. If you or someone you know is in crisis please call one of the following:

Police & 
Ambulance		 Lifeline Kids Helpline
000 13 11 14 1800 551 800

How Butterfly Can Help 

We understands that everyone’s experience of an eating disorder is different and the counselling team at Butterfly are able to provide personalised support. The team can offer guidance on treatment options and connections with other services and specialists. Butterfly’s National Helpline ED HOPE provides confidential support for:

  • People with eating disorders
  • People with body image issues
  • Carers
  • Partners
  • Family members
  • Friends
  • Teachers
  • Counsellors
  • Employers
  • Health professionals
  • Anyone with a question about eating disorders or negative body image.

Are you a professional?

Qualified professionals who have experience in treating eating disorders are invited to apply to be listed on the Helpline’s National Referral Database. You can find out more information or express your interest by following the link below.

apply3

  

Butterfly's National Helpline Privacy Policy

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about our National Helpline.

How can I contact you?

You can give us a call on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE), send us an email to support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au or connect with us on webchat.

What if I can’t get through?

We want to be there for you, however, as we don’t make appointments or set call times, the line may be busy from time to time.

If you try to contact us via phone and don’t get through, please leave a voicemail and a counsellor will return your call as soon as possible. Note that you are also welcome to send us an email.

For webchat, if you try to get through and can’t, please either call and leave a voicemail, or send us an email.

Who can call the Helpline?

Anyone experiencing a body image issue, disordered eating or an eating disorder, their family and friends along with professionals such as psychologists, GPs, employers and teachers to name a few.

How can the Helpline support me?

We can help with support, information, one-off or short-term counselling, guidance, referrals and/or resources.

If you’re not sure exactly what you need, but know you want to reach out about what is happening with you or someone else in relation to body image, disordered eating or an eating disorder, you are welcome to connect with us. We will guide you on how you might use our service.

If you are a health professional, you can use our service to get information and guidance to support your client presenting with eating or body image concerns. You can also access our database for referrals to other health professionals with eating disorder experience and resources that may helpful you and your client.

Who will I speak to?

You will speak with a professionally-trained clinician who is passionate and skilled in supporting anyone concerned by eating disorders or body image issues. Our team includes registered and provisional psychologists, counsellors and social workers.

Can I ask to speak to a particular counsellor?

Given the nature of our service and the availability of counsellors, it is not possible to request to speak with a particular counsellor. We aim to give prompt support, guidance and information, and all counsellors have relevant training and an understanding of the impact of eating and body image issues.

What services do you offer?

You can give us a call, email or connect over webchat for:

  • Information
  • Support and brief counselling
  • Referrals to health professionals and services screened for experience in treating eating disorders
  • Resource options
  • Free online support groups
  • Free Online Carer Education Workshops (Understanding Eating Disorder Recovery) run regularly through the year.

Is my conversation confidential?

Your conversation with us is confidential. However, if at any time we believe there is a significant risk of harm to you or another person, we may need to contact appropriate support agencies and share relevant information to keep you or someone else safe.

What happens to my private information?

We respect your privacy and are committed to maintaining it. We collect your information only where necessary and relevant so we can provide you with our services and, subject to your permission, conduct research. Read our privacy policy.

If you wish, you can use our service anonymously by not sharing your name or contact details with us. However, we may receive some information automatically via your phone or computer including telephone number and/or IP address. We will only use this information if there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person and we need to notify relevant agencies.

Can I use the service more than once?

We recognise body image and eating disorders are complex and understand that it may be helpful for you to contact our service more than once for support or guidance about your next steps. Please note that when we have a large number of people contacting us, we may need to limit the frequency or length of your interactions with us.

Our counsellors work as a team and if at any point they think ongoing contact is not helpful for your or not within the scope our Helpline service, they will discuss this with you and give you other options that may be more helpful.

I am a professional, how can I use the Helpline service?

Our team of clinicians (psychologists, provisional psychologists, counsellors and social workers), with specialised training in eating disorders, can give you information, referral options and pathways, resources and general guidance. For instance, you may be a teacher wanting information on how to best support a student, or a therapist wanting more information on eating disorder treatment best practice.

How do I give feedback on your service?

Please send your compliments, feedback or complaints to feedback@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

 

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Worried about a friend or someone you care about?

It can be extremely difficult raising the subject of eating disorders with a friend or loved one. To be supportive one needs to learn what to say and what not to say.  

 

We can help you with knowing when to talk to your friend and what to say. ›

Concerned parents & carers

Communicating your concern with your child about eating and dieting behaviour can be extremely difficult. Butterfly offers a range of services that can provide you with skills and information related to communicating with your child.  

 

We can help you with recognising issues and what to do. ›

Teachers & Professionals Working with Young People

Teachers and those working with young people are often the first to become aware of dis-ordered eating behaviours.  Butterfly Education provides early intervention and prevention skills for professionals working with young people. 

We have a range of advice & resources ›