EDFA welcomes announcement of funding for strive services to Australian families and carers supporting a loved one living with an eating disorder.
May 2021 – Eating Disorders Families Australia, Australia’s only national charity dedicated to supporting families and carers of Australians living with an eating disorder, welcomed today’s announcement by Health Minister the Hon Greg Hunt to support EDFA over the next two years by helping us fund our strive support groups nationwide.
Offered online and available across metropolitan, remote and regional Australia, strive provides much needed support, validation, education and information to families and carers of a loved one with an eating disorder.
Led by trained facilitators with a lived-experience, participants are empowered to advocate for their loved ones’ needs in the often-long recovery process.
EDFA Chairman David Garvey said the funding will help meet the ever-growing demand on services during this difficult and unprecedented time.
Since March 2020, the volunteer-led charity has seen a 600% growth in the number of families and carers reaching out for much needed support and assistance.
“This is a significant contribution to supporting families and carers who play a vital role in the recovery of loved ones affected by an eating disorder, but who struggle to find the information and tools they need to navigate our often-complex health system.”
Eating disorders, when combined with disordered eating together, are estimated to affect 16.3% of the Australian population.
“Now is the time to scale up wherever possible in providing support to families and carers, and our national strive program is an excellent place to start,” he said.
