Mental Health Week 6-12 October 2013
The number of Australians suffering from eating disorders continues to rise and Tasmanians are now being told to
‘leave the scales to the fish’, which is the title of this year’s Tasmania Recovery from Eating Disorders’ (TRED)
breakfast event, held as part of Mental Health Week 2013.
According to the National Eating Disorders Collaboration, nine per cent of Australians will suffer from an eating
disorder during their lifetime. Anorexia nervosa, for example, has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
Executive Officer of TRED Jo Cook, who was herself diagnosed with an eating disorder in her 40s, said the breakfast
aimed to raise awareness within the Tasmanian community about the importance of providing support to those
affected by eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.
“There are many issues associated with eating disorders and it’s important to address these, especially as a person
suffering from an eating disorder is often diagnosed with another mental health problem,” Ms Cook said.
“Up to 86 per cent of people with eating disorders have depression and around 64 per cent will also suffer from
anxiety. It is imperative that rather than turning a blind eye to the issue, we need to understand it and encourage
people to seek professional support.”
Ms Cook said TRED was excited to welcome the CEO of the Butterfly Foundation, Christine Morgan, as guest speaker
to the Hobart breakfast event.
Ms Morgan said that she welcomed the chance to discuss mental health with Tasmanians, and promote the need for
better understanding of eating disorders.
“The Butterfly Foundation is committed to raising awareness about eating disorders and the impact of negative body
image – with the latest report showing that almost a million Australians suffering from an eating disorder in 2012
“In addition to providing support for those suffering from an eating disorder we also endeavour to help people foster
positive body image, strong self-esteem, resilience and a healthy attitude towards food and exercise,” Ms Morgan
said.
The Hobart community has rallied around TRED, with students from St Michael’s Collegiate College fundraising and
developing a Facebook page to support the local organisation called “Leave the Scales to the Fish.
(www.facebook.com/LeaveTheScalesToTheFish).
TRED is committed to providing support to Tasmanians seeking freedom from an eating disorder or wanting to live a
healthy and full life. It recognises that family and friends play an important support role for someone with an eating
disorder. To find out more about TRED’s services please visit www.tred.org.au.
The Butterfly Foundation encourages the use of the National Mindframe Guidelines for reporting on Eating Disorders
Executive Officer of TRED Jo Cook
