Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

  (i) MAYDAYS for Eating Disorders is the Butterfly Foundation's annual awareness and advocacy campaign, which takes place nationally throughout the month of May,

  (ii) this year, MAYDAYS is focussed on raising the alarm on the crippling cost of eating disorders – the Butterfly Foundation has conducted a survey asking Australians to share their experiences on the cost of treating eating disorders and has found that:

(A) 1 in 3 people had to go into debt in order to treat their eating disorder,

(B) 40 per cent of individuals could not complete studies or qualifications,

(C) 78 per cent of carers lost work or study hours in order to provide support, and

(D) 1 in 4 people had to delay or stop treatment;

(b) calls on all levels of Government and the community to work together to help ensure those with, or at risk of, an eating disorder are able to access evidence-based early interventions and treatments;

(c) acknowledges the amazing and tireless work undertaken by eating disorder professionals across the country; and

(d) encourages anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues to contact Butterfly's National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (334673).

Question agreed to.