In the past three years, the number of children and young people struggling with an eating disorder has exploded.
According to a report from The ABC’s Four Corners, which aired on Monday night, some hospitals have recorded an 80 to 104 per cent increase in children with anorexia since the pandemic started.
Eating disorder patients are getting younger, and Australia’s health system is not equipped to deal with what are some of the most deadly mental illnesses.
Independent MP Zoe Daniel said the system is in crisis, and it is Australian families who are suffering.
“Children and adolescents are dying, and families are being torn apart by this devastating mental and physical illness,” Daniel said.
“The Australian medical system is grossly under-equipped to deal with the crisis, with less than 4 dozen dedicated eating disorder beds Australia wide, only one dedicated residential clinic and families stuck in the vortex of repeat hospital admissions with children being forcibly held down and tube fed to save their lives.
“Many are so traumatised by the treatment approach that they develop PTSD.”
A new global study on disordered eating among children and adolescents found 1 in 5 experience disordered eating behaviours, and that disordered eating is significantly higher in girls than in boys.
A massive 30 per cent of girls show signs of disordered eating, according to the study.
The Butterfly Foundation estimates that more than 1 million Australians have an eating disorder and less than a quarter are getting treatment or support.
Daniel said there is a need for the federal and state governments to work together to improve the crisis.
“State governments have failed to provide additional residential care despite being funded to do so, and the federal government, in the face of this unfolding crisis, continues to push responsibility back to the states who plainly cannot manage it,” she said.
“The current model of care is inadequate, and the revolving door of hospital admissions is traumatising for patients and families while placing extreme pressure on the health system.
“What is urgently needed is a link between hospital inpatient and outpatient care; specialist outreach teams of mental health experts, dieticians, and paediatricians to help the transition from hospital to home. Peer support from those with lived experience also has a part to play.”
Last year, Daniel called for greater support for parents and families who have a child experiencing an eating disorder, and for the federal and Victorian governments to open a one-stop eating disorder hub for children and young people.
Daniel is a co-chair of the newly formed Parliamentary Friends of Eating Disorder Awareness, alongside Labor’s Susan Templeman and the LNP’s Andrew Wallace.
The independent MP said eating disorders are an “enormous issue” in her electorate of Goldstein, as well as across Australia.
“I thank all of those families who have come to my office and shared their stories in desperate hope for action.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673
Eating Disorders Families Association on 1300 195 626
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800