Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) welcomes the announcement by The Hon. Greg Hunt MP Minister for Health and Age Care, of $27 million to expand and extend support for eating disorders.

Minister Hunt stated that eating disorders “has been a hidden condition in Australia and we’re helping bring it into the light”

EDQ concurs with his words that “eating disorders can affect up to a million people in Australia – overwhelmingly women, in particular young women, and it has one of the highest mortality rates of any of the mental health conditions”.

EDQ provides the largest community support and treatment services for individuals and families living with and recovering from eating disorders, their carers and loved ones across Queensland. By the sharing of recovery wisdom, we aim to involve people with a lived experience, carers and family members and loved ones. Therefore, we are especially encouraged by Christine Morgan’s statement around the aim for “increase community access for treatment”.

EDQ CEO Belinda Chelius highlights that “NGOs like EDQ, are uniquely positioned to deliver biopsychosocial services to individuals, carers and families. Backed by 23 years expertise and evidence, providing innovative programs driven by client needs. EDQ offers counselling, therapeutic groups, support groups, community meal support, social connection, and peer mentor programs, which reduces the significant financial burden of recovery. Hence, a healthily funded NGO sector is essential to maintain this work and assist with the over 70% increase in need for the services we offer.”

Lisa Kelly, Lived Experienced Eating Disorder Practitioner, said “I applaud the Government’s move. It was the holistic, client-based approach, offered by community-based eating disorder services, that motivated my recovery.”

EDQ further urges State and Federal Governments to work together, in a way that allows for the distribution of funding that best serves the needs of consumers and their carers.