MEDIA RELEASE
MARCH 3, 2025

A free counselling program run by Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) has run almost 2,500 sessions for carers of those with an eating disorder since it launched in late 2023 , and the Fill The Gap program is now available to help many more as the number of people living with the disease climbs to more than one million people nationwide.

The number of people diagnosed impacts more than four million nationally, as families are needed to support loved ones to manage a disease that can last a lifetime for one in 10 sufferers. The disease kills over 1,200 people each year in Australia, with those aged between 15-19 almost three times more likely to experience the disorder.

EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan said recovery from an eating disorder requires long-term support from families and carers.

“It can take on average up to six years for people to recover from an eating disorder following treatment, and some struggle for their entire lives. Families and carers are critical to support those diagnosed and our Fill The Gap program provides a free service to ensure families and carers are looking after their own wellbeing so they can maintain the strength needed for their loved ones,” Ms Rowan said.

The average caregiver to a person with an eating disorder provides more than 12 hours per week in support, which places additional stress on families, on top of current cost of living pressures, however Ms Rowan said there is much more at stake for many families.

“It’s a drain on more than just their time. Some families are faced with life and death situations that can seemingly arise from nowhere. As people with the lived experience of an eating disorder in our own families, EDFA  is dedicated to supporting families through these life-threatening times.  Fill The Gap is doing just that to improve the health of carers, many of whom are themselves under severe mental and physical strain,” she said.

Families and carers of those living with an eating disorder often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In a recent survey of carers conducted by EDFA, 82.4% of responding carers said their wellbeing decreased as a result of caring for their loved one.

Making a difference

The federally funded Fill The Gap program is staffed by qualified counsellors, all whom have experience as an eating disorder carer, and the results for those taking up the free service are proving to have a highly positive effect on their lives.

Fill The Gap Program Manager, Psychologist Elise Wales, said that the program was proving to have a positive impact on carers who received the free counselling service.

“Feedback from carers who participate in the Fill The Gap program is overwhelmingly positive.” Ms Wales said.

“Not only are carers experiencing the benefit of counselling for themselves, importantly, carers also report some improvement in their loved one’s eating disorder behaviours as a result of engaging in the Fill The Gap program.

“Carers have shared that a major benefit of the Fill The Gap counselling service is the fact that our counsellors have lived experience of caring for someone with an eating disorder; it’s a safe space to debrief, an opportunity to develop strategies skills and knowledge that are specific to their role, and is free and highly accessible. “she said.

Program measures prove the positive impact carers gain from counselling. Evaluation of the Fill the Gap program shows that after they attend counselling sessions:

• 93% of scores measuring carers’ self-perceived confidence and knowledge increase
• 81% of scores measuring carers’ self-perceived burden decrease
• 80% of scores measuring carers’ perceptions about their lived one’s eating disorder behaviours improve

More free places available for families and carers

To help more people and families, Ms Rowan announced EDFA has recently employed two additional Fill The Gap counsellors and a third, specifically employed to support First Nations people, is currently being recruited.

“We now have extra capacity to help even more families and carers, and I’d encourage anyone who needs support to book a free session with one of our qualified counsellors today,” Ms Rowan said.

“Appointments are available now. Families and carers can book online at www.edfa.org.au/counselling-service/ or call 1300 195 626 for a confidential chat with one of our team.”

About eating disorders and EDFA

In 2023, 4.45% of Australians had an eating disorder diagnosis, equating to 1.1 million Australians, meaning at least 4.4 million Australians are impacted by an eating disorder. Most diagnoses occur during adolescence, with highest rates in those aged 15-19. Women are disproportionally affected, accounting for two-thirds of eating disorder diagnoses.

There are extensive social and economic costs associated with eating disorders. In 2023, the total economic and social cost of eating disorders in Australia was $67 billion, up 36% since 2012, and equivalent to $60,654 per person with an eating disorder.

EDFA is the only national organisation focussed solely on providing support, education, advocacy and counselling services to carers and families of those living with an eating disorder. Established in 2016, EDFA currently has more than 3,000 members and has helped hundreds of carers and families over the years.  

MEDIA CONTACTS:

EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan is available for interview. Please contact Jaimie Robertson at EDFA jaimie.robertson@edfa.org.au phone 0468 525 680