Advocacy

One of Butterfly’s central activities is to advocate on behalf of those who are impacted by negative body image, disordered eating and clinical eating disorders. All of Butterfly’s advocacy programs are evidence based. Butterfly works closely and collaboratively with health and mental health researchers, clinicians, treatment experts, local and state based advocacy groups, state and federal governments, business, schools, youth and technology partners and those who have a lived experience to create more effective treatment and support for eating disorders. 

Key areas of Butterfly’s advocacy include:

• Appropriate funding for treatment – access and duration as well as appropriate treatment models of care
• Professional development for clinicians and all treatment professionals
• Education and awareness of risk factors and behaviours
• Media and industry awareness and education
• Access to appropriate levels of public and private health treatment funding
• Multiple access points to support and counselling
• Research into epidemiology, prevalence, risk factors, socio-economic impacts, emerging trends and behaviours
• Butterfly is represented on the International Academy for Eating Disorders Advisory Board
• Butterfly's CEO, Christine Morgan is a member of the Mental Health Commission and the National Director of the NEDC

To achieve these objectives Butterfly participates in parliamentary, community and industry analysis of the emerging issues through submissions, appearances, provision of evidence and by convening meetings of key influencers as required. We invite you to review Butterfly’s research reports below.