Eating disorder services in Hunter New England

Accessing treatment

The first step is talking with a health professional and finding out what is happening for you. Usually this will be a general practitioner (GP). They can review your overall medical and mental health and refer you to specific services for treatment. 

You can also speak to the Community Mental Health Service by contacting the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

Treatment typically involves collaboration with the person with an eating disorder, their family/carer, a GP, a mental health clinician and a dietitian, and may involve other health professionals as well. Treatment often occurs in a community-based service (when you are not admitted to hospital), though sometimes people need admission to hospital.

Hunter New England community mental health services

Hunter New England Local Health District has mental health clinicians trained in evidenced-based eating disorder treatment for children, adolescents and adults. This includes psychologists, dietitians, nurses and other allied health and medical staff.

You or a family member/carer can refer to your local Community Mental Health Service by contacting the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. Alternatively, a referral can be made by your GP.

Further specialist programs may be indicated for individuals that require additional support and treatment and may be facilitated by the Community Mental Health Team.

There are two public statewide services in the Hunter New England area:

Residential Eating Disorders Centre

Eating Disorders Day Program

Private practitioners 

Many local areas will have private practitioners trained in evidence-based treatment for eating disorders. 

For more information, please search the below databases or ask your GP for local providers.

• Butterfly - Referral Database
• InsideOut Institute - Treatment Services Database

In-patient treatment

Hospital treatment may be required for someone who is acutely medically unwell or requires acute mental health care.

A GP or other health professional may recommend admission to hospital and will provide information regarding how this can occur.

If you feel you may require a hospital admission for medical or mental health concerns, please talk to your current treatment providers or GP straight away. 

If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 000 or present to the nearest emergency department.

Carers are people who support someone with an eating disorder. They may be a parent, guardian, partner, friend, grandparent, or other significant person.

Understanding more about eating disorders, learning new skills and managing your own emotions and wellbeing can help you assist your loved one during their recovery.

More information is available in the Navigating their way to health booklet.

Talking to someone about an eating disorder can be stressful and worrying. You might feel unsure about what to say or do.

Here are some tips to help you start the conversation and approach someone you’re concerned about:

• How you can help: Tips for carers
• How to approach someone
• I think someone I know may have an eating disorder

The following organisations also have resources on how to talk to someone:

• Eating Disorders Families Australia - Support for families and carers
• Butterfly - Carer support programs and groups
• InsideOut Institute - Support for families and carers

As a GP, you may be the first health professional that a person with an eating disorder (or family member) will come to. GPs have an ongoing role in treatment of an eating disorder.

Information for GPs on eating disorders, assessment and referral processes is available on:

• InsideOut GP Hub
• HealthPathways Hunter New England
• Health Professionals provides useful resources for GPs
• NEDC eLearning for GPs
• Join the Butterfly referral database or Join the InsideOut treatment services database

People with or at risk of an eating disorder will often be treated by private practitioners, including psychologists, psychiatrists, dietitians and other counsellors. Information, resources, and training opportunities to support private practitioners are available from:

• InsideOut Institute
• National Eating Disorders Collaboration
• Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders
• NEDC eLearning provides eLearning for Mental Health Professionals

For information about the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential and treatment provider databases, see:

• Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders
• Join the Butterfly referral database or Join the InsideOut treatment services database

School staff are in an ideal position to assist in eating disorders prevention. They can also identify and respond when a student is experiencing an eating disorder. Useful information for school staff is available from:

• Resources for education professionals
• Supporting a student with an eating disorder at school
• EducatED tools for school staff

Please visit the Eating disorders page on the HNELHD intranet.

• National Eating Disorder Collaboration - www.nedc.com.au
• Inside Out Institute for Eating Disorders - www.insideoutinstitute.org.au
• Centre for excellence in Eating Disorders CEED - www.ceed.org.au
• Butterfly Foundation - www.butterfly.org.au

• Eating Disorder Families Australia - www.edfa.org.au
• F.E.A.S.T - www.feast-ed.org
• Feed Your Instinct - www.feedyourinstinct.com.au

• ReachOut - www.au.reachout.com
• Youth Beyond Blue - www.beyondblue.org.au