Strategy in Action Meetings

The transition from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services presents numerous challenges for young people experiencing eating disorders and their families and supports. Interruptions in eating disorder care for young people are associated with adverse outcomes such as anxiety, distress, disengagement with services, and an increased risk of relapse post-transition.

To address this urgent need to improve care pathways for young people with eating disorders transitioning to adult services, NEDC held a Strategy in Action Meeting where clinicians, service leaders, and researchers discussed the barriers, opportunities, and solutions to these shared challenges and identified possible evidence-based, person-centred interventions which meet the needs of young people.

This group now meets quarterly as a Community of Practice where members hear from NEDC about new research and service models emerging in both Australia and internationally, as well as sharing resources, frameworks, policies, and funding opportunities to support the implementation of this work.

You can access the slides for the Care pathways for Young People Strategy in Action meeting here.

Slides

A literature review examining factors affecting transition outcomes for young people eating disorders and an overview of evidence-based transition interventions can be accessed here.

If you are interested in joining the Age Transition Community of Practice, please email us at nationalstrategy@nedc.com.au 

Individuals living with longstanding eating disorders often encounter care that does not fully meet their unique and complex needs. Many present with complex co-occurring mental and physical health challenges and have participated in evidence-based treatment without achieving sustained wellness and describe experiences of care which are inflexible and unresponsive to their needs. Experiences of hopelessness are common for those affected and can contribute to significant carer burnout and distress.

Authored by Shannon Calvert, NEDC has published a guide and a series of workbooks designed to support consumers, carers and the workforce to ensure that people living with longstanding eating disorders receive care that is trauma informed, person-centred and are supported to navigate the ethical complexities that can arise in this context.

To support ongoing implementation of these resources, as well as continue to understand the barriers that are being experienced, a Strategy in Action group will be convened to bring together crucial voices in the sector, collaborate on addressing challenges, support reflective practice and an ongoing commitment to change. 

Access to appropriate evidence-based eating disorder treatment remains inequitable, particularly for people in rural and remote communities, where many struggle to access timely treatment, matched to their needs, close to home. Workforce shortages, long wait lists, system complexity, technological limitations, insufficient culturally sensitive practice, and lack of awareness of eating disorders, all impact timely access to eating disorder treatment in these communities. 

To improve access to eating disorder care, NEDC will be holding a Strategy in Action Meeting where we will discuss the barriers affecting rural and remote communities, innovative solutions to increase the capacity of rural and remote services and providers to respond to eating disorders.

People experiencing eating disorders face an elevated risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. His increased vulnerability is shaped by a range of intersecting factors which may contribute to heightened risk of suicide including experiences of trauma, economic disadvantage, LGBTQIA+ experiences, neurodivergence, disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, and experiences of severe and enduring mental health disorders.

In line with national suicide prevention efforts, reducing this risk requires coordinated, evidence-based, and person-centred care pathways. These pathways must ensure people receive timely support, strengthen protective factors, and respond to the broader social, cultural, and psychological determinants that contribute to suicidal distress, including symptoms of eating disorders.

To support this work, NEDC will convene a Strategy in Action Meeting to explore how a preventive, whole-of-system approach can reduce suicidal distress among people experiencing eating disorders, and to identify the systems and processes needed to drive and sustain progress in suicide prevention.

LGBTQIA+ populations have an increased risk of eating disorders, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction compared to the general population. This increased risk is attributed to a range of factors, including greater stress (caused by stigma, prejudice and discrimination), and body-related pressures. As well as experiencing increased risk of eating disorders, people from LGBTQIA+ communities face barriers in accessing support and treatment. 

The National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023-2033 calls for a system of care which better meets the needs of underserved and higher risk population groups, including LGBTQIA+ communities. NEDC will convene a Strategy in Action Meeting to explore how the needs of LGBTQIA+ communities can be better met across the system of care, and identify practical initiatives, resources and next steps to achieve this. 

if you have a question for our team, or suggestions for future Strategy in Action Meeting topics please email us at nationalstrategy@nedc.com.au