Why do we need a strategy to address eating disorders?

So there’s a new Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy – what will the implementation look like in plain terms, and why is it important? Our latest article breaks it all down for you, including supports for rural and regional areas, and Aboriginal communities.

Why do we need a strategy to address eating disorders?

Hundreds of thousands of people are impacted by eating disorders in Australia, and the number has been rising in the last decade.

The good news? Full recovery from an eating disorder can and should be possible for every person. What’s more, we already have supports and treatments that we know work to make it happen.

The Strategy responds to this, with a vision for people in Victoria to thrive through empowered and safe relationships to food, eating, body and movement.

The Strategy sets out three focus areas, each with dedicated actions. Let’s unpack. ⬇

Focus area 1: Prevention, information and early identification

We need increased awareness that eating disorders are serious and complex mental health conditions that can affect anyone. This section identifies increased community and professional awareness as a crucial part of early detection and intervention.

In plain terms, when people in both mental health and community settings (like gyms and sporting communities) are equipped with the right information, finding help becomes less overwhelming.

The first focus area also spotlights primary care settings. Disordered eating can present in so many different ways which are sometimes subtle. In primary care, particularly where there are co-occurring conditions, these signs are often missed.

Notably, this focus area recognises the impact of weight stigma. It proposes a shift in health messaging away from weight loss and towards overall wellbeing.

The action items in this area support the vision of a Victoria where people have a safe and empowered relationship with body, food and movement.

This will be achieved by strengthening protective factors for eating disorders, like implementing effective media literacy and positive food environments in schools.

Why is this important?

Size, shape and weight aren’t necessarily indicators of the presence of, or recovery from an eating disorder.

Weight stigma is a barrier to seeking help for many people and is often perpetuated in healthcare and community settings alike. Constantly advocating for access to treatment is exhausting and frustrating, and prevents many people from accessing care for eating disorders.

By addressing the tension between eating disorder prevention and healthcare policy messaging, we can challenge weight stigma. This could help more people get the help they need, when they need it.

Above: educational materials like EDV’s ‘Body Peace Zone’ posters challenge diet talk and weight stigma.

Focus area 2: accessible, evidence-based eating disorder treatment through a stepped care model

This area looks at using the mental health reforms underway across Victoria as an opportunity to adopt a mental health-led response to eating disorders, at all levels of care.

For too long the mental health system has been fragmented, inequitable and frustrating. Acute treatment settings can overemphasise medical stabilisation and refeeding.

Because of this, underlying factors, co-occurring conditions, and in general the diversity of eating disorder presentations and experiences can be overlooked. In other words, a highly medicalised focus can come at the expense of mental health and wellbeing.

For clinicians to be confident in treating eating disorders, there needs to be a fundamental shift from ‘business as usual’. This focus area outlines more integrated and consistent ‘step-up and step-down’ care across the state – including specific actions for rural and regional Victoria.

Programs in this focus area which aim to reduce financial and geographical barriers to accessing services. Examples include:

a new intensive day program in Barwon Health (Wadawurrung Land),

10 new Early Intervention and Integration Leads (EIILs) across the state,

EDV’s free virtual clinical, peer and education offerings.

Other highlights include two new in-home intensive early engagement treatment programs for young people in metropolitan Melbourne, and the continuation of existing peer-led programs.

We are pleased to see the Strategy proposes a mental health-led approach which emphasises peer support and increased accessibility. This can move us towards a culture of person-centred care.

Above: EDV Counsellor Hallie. Telehealth counselling, including EDV’s service, will continue under the Strategy.

Focus area 3: Wellbeing and recovery supports

Under this area, peer-led programs will be continued and get increased promotion. It’s wonderful to see the value and effectiveness of peer work valued here.

EDV will work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and other stakeholders to ensure peer support is available in mental health and wellbeing services. This includes for people experiencing an eating disorder, as well as their families, carers and supporters.

Why is this important?

We know that peer support, like EDV’s Peer Mentoring and Carer Coaching Programs, strongly complements clinical treatment and helps people sustain better recovery outcomes.

Carers – which can include families, friends, partners, and other community members – are all crucial in the care team. They are also significantly impacted by eating disorders and can face barriers to knowledge and resources, so carers need targeted help too.

When people are supported to transition between levels of care, and find hope in their journey, recovery becomes not only possible, but probable.

What do we think?

EDV welcomes our continued role in the strategy’s implementation over the coming years, alongside ACCHOs and rural and regional providers.

We are pleased to support this work towards a culture of care where eating disorders are everyone’s business.

The strategy represents a huge milestone in the sector. We hope it brings us closer to our vision of every Victorian impacted by eating disorders getting the right care at the right time.