Editor’s Note:

Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!

With the year coming to an end and the festive season upon us, this period can be challenging for people experiencing eating disorders and their carers. Face to face support is often limited during this time, so it is helpful to be aware of phone and web support services to assist with managing anxiety and implementing strategies. Below we have put together some information about support services available Australia wide over the Christmas and New Year period. 

We would like to thank all our members, collaborators and contributors for their ongoing involvement and support.

2017 has been a productive, engaging and successful year for the NEDC in developing and maintaining a nationally consistent approach to the prevention, treatment and management of eating disorders in Australia. We have delighted in building on existing connections and capacities with key stakeholders, as well as extending our reach and partnership across new areas of primary and secondary care, and amongst diverse sports and education sectors.

We are looking forward to 2018 and continuing to roll out a variety of national, regional, and local initiatives and activities to increase awareness of safe, evidence based practices in multisectoral and multidisciplinary professional groups, consumers, carers and the general community.

If you are interested in connecting or collaborating with the NEDC, we encourage you to join and become an NEDC member.

Contents:

1. Resource: New NEDC Russian Fact Sheet
2. Getting Support over the Festive Season

There has been much work going on behind the scenes for the NEDC in terms of creating and disseminating our large body of evidence based information and resources. We are excited to announce and share with you a new NEDC resource and fact sheet.

In response to a high level of interest to our digital resources from different audiences across Australia, we have translated a summary of the Eating Disorders Explained section of the website into Russian.

Download: NEDC Russian Fact Sheet

This resource is in addition to the Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Vietnamese and Spanish fact sheets.

See NEDC Fact Sheets in other languages

To view all our printable NEDC facts sheets see: http://www.nedc.com.au/fact-sheets

By making these downloadable resources available to the wider community, the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) endeavours to raise awareness and increase evidence-based practice.

The NEDC are happy to answer any questions or receive any feedback you may have regarding our resources. Contact us at info@nedc.com.au

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Download Phone and Web Support Information

Over the festive season access to face to face support may become limited. However, with celebrations involving food and socialising, a heightened sense of fear and anxiety may occur during this period for people experiencing or caring for someone with an eating disorder (Grilo et al., 2011).

An awareness of support services available during this time can help individuals manage their anxiety and implement practical strategies to overcome challenges faced and assist in making this season as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

If you wish to speak to someone, you can contact the below:

Butterfly National Helpline – 1800 334 673

Online Chat: Open Chat Now 
Email: https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline-email/
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 9pm AEST (except national public holidays).

Butterfly's National Helpline is Australia’s national eating disorders support service providing phone, email and web counselling for all those affected by eating disorders or body image concerns. People with an eating disorder, families, carers, friends and professionals can contact the Helpline for information, support and referrals.

Holiday Operating Hours:
• Saturday 23 December - Tuesday 26 December 2017 (CLOSED) 
• Wednesday 27 December – Friday 29 December (8AM - 9PM AEST)
• Saturday 30 December 2017 - Monday 1 January 2018 (CLOSED)
• Tuesday 2 January – Wednesday 3 January 2018 (8AM - 9PM AEST)

Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline – 1300 550 236

Email: help@eatingdisorders.org.au 
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 5pm AEST (except national/major public holidays).

Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline is a free and confidential service providing support and information about eating disorders and related issues. 

Closed Dates:
The above mentioned services will be unavailable on:
• Saturday 23 December 2017 – Sunday January 7 January 2018

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Online Chat: Open Chat Now (7 days a week, 3pm-12am AEST)
Email: Email Now
Operating Hours: 24/7 Helpline including Public Holidays

Beyond Blue provides support for people with anxiety and depression and their families and friends.

SANE – 1800 18 7263

Online Counselling: Open Chat Now 
Email: helpline@sane.org
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 10pm AEST (except national/major public holidays).

SANE help centre provides information, guidance and referral to help manage mental health concerns.

Closed Dates:
The above mentioned services will be unavailable on:
• Saturday 23 December 2017 – Monday January 1 2018

SANE WebForums will continue to run throughout Christmas/New Year period.

MensLine – 1300 78 99 78

Online Counselling: Open Chat Now
Operating Hours: 24/7 Helpline and Chat including Public Holidays

MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with personal, family and relationship concerns.

Qlife – 1800 184 527

Online Counselling: Open Chat Now
Operating Hours: 7 days a week, 3pm – 12am AEST (including Public Holidays)

Qlife is the national counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.

What to do with this information?

It may be useful to keep this information with you at all times and even print a copy to have at hand. Healthcare providers, practice managers and educators are encouraged to share or print a copy to keep in their office for referrals and professional support.

This information is useful for:
• People experiencing an eating disorder
• Families, friends and carers
• Health professionals
• Educators

For a downloadable copy of phone and web support information click the link below.

References

Grilo, C. M., Pagano, M. E., Stout, R. L., Markowitz, J. C., Ansell, E. B., Pinto, A., … Skodol, A. E. (2011). Stressful Life Events Predict Eating Disorder Relapse Following Remission: Six-Year Prospective Outcomes. International Journal of Eating, 1–8.

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