Eating disorder help boost
BARWON Health has welcomed funding set to bolster treatment for patients suffering eating disorders.
Mental Health Minister James Merlino said the Victorian budget 2022-23 invested more than $20m to deliver tailored support for people with an eating disorder, supporting almost 3200 Victorians – expanding capacity to help more than 1100 more than the number treated for eating disorders last year.
Mr Merlino said because of unprecedented global events and the pervasive impact of social media, young Victorians had suffered a surge of new eating disorders and relapses – a statistic sadly replicated worldwide.
An investment of more than $15.5m will increase eating disorder services across the state to deliver 15 extra mental health beds specifically to support eating disorders across Melbourne.
This investment will also expand an integrated specialist model in eating disorder units across the state, delivering specialist multidisciplinary mental health teams.
The model will expand teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and dietitians to four regional health services, including Barwon Health, building on the successful model operating at a number of hospitals in Melbourne, Mr Merlino said.
Barwon Health Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Services clinical director Steve Moylan said this funding would enable a more integrated approach to supporting and managing people living with eating disorders in our region.
“We look forward to building upon our existing expert services to provide more care locally, with family and loved ones close by,” Associate Professor Moylan said. “These services are vital and we welcome this funding commitment.”
Mr Merlino said this year’s budget also included funding to develop a statewide eating disorders strategy that meant Victoria had a more systemic and co-ordinated response to support people living with eating disorders – as well as their carers, families and supporters.
The $4.4m investment will also provide more support to the Centre for Excellence in Eating Disorders and Eating Disorders Victoria, helping them deliver an extra 2100 wellbeing checks, telehealth services to about 1800 Victorians and continue delivering initiatives such as the peer mentoring program.