Two in-home eating disorders programs to share in $6.5m in state funding

The state government is investing $31m in treatments and services to help desperate families impacted by eating disorders — with some of that money going to two new programs.

Victorians with an eating disorder will soon have access to intensive, in-home treatments in a landmark move that aims to prevent hospitalisations, accelerate recovery and save lives.

The state government is investing $31m in treatments and services to help desperate families – as social media continues to drive massive increases in the number of people presenting with eating disorders following record highs during the Covid pandemic.

Two in-home intensive support and treatment programs will share $6.5m in funding in a bid to end the revolving door of hospitalisations.

Alfred Health, which the Herald Sun last year revealed had developed a blueprint that would prevent admissions costing $2550 a day, will deliver one of the programs for people aged under 25 years.

Katya Jacki overcame an eating disorder. Picture: Tony Gough

Katya Jaski, who is recovering from anorexia, said in-home support would not only relieve the burden on hospital systems but improve people’s wellbeing by enabling them to receive medical and psychological treatment while remaining in the community.

Ms Jaski said this was important because inpatient treatment could be “isolating and traumatic”, result in people becoming detached from relationships and losing touch of the things they truly enjoy.

“I really think the Alfred Health program is going to help so many young people struggling with an eating disorder,” she said.

“As someone who was admitted to hospital several times over the course of three years, if this program was available to me prior to my first admission, it would have greatly reduced my chances of being admitted to hospital, as at the time, there was no other option for me.

“I would have been able to stay in the community and still see my friends and family, which would have reminded me of all the great things in my life.”

Rachel Barbara-May, clinical lead for eating disorders at Alfred Health’s Child & Youth Mental Health Service, said the community-based care will help those in the early stages of their illness and outpatients.

“It could really shorten the length of illness or even prevent the need for ongoing (acute) care,” Ms Barbara-May said.

Under the program, a team of specialists – such as clinicians, dietitians and peer workers – would visit families at home, including after-hours and on weekends, to them at meal times and when they need it the most for up to three weeks.

Ms Barbara-May said intervention would be tailored, responsive, flexible and include people’s support networks.

“We would like to get started pretty immediately and look at our current resources in our system and see how we can support the development of the new team,” Ms Barbara-May said.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt.

The state government package announced in last week’s budget also included $6.4m for 10 dedicated early intervention professionals in the communities that need them most, and $6.9m for a day program in regional Victoria that will improve access to support and treatment.

The program will offer supervised meals, group therapy, education and medical consultations to ensure people can receive the same care as they would in hospital, while staying at home.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the government recognised the vital impact of early intervention for Victorians facing mental health challenges, including eating disorders.

“This funding is crucial, helping us to deliver lifesaving care and treatment,” Ms Stitt said.

“Eating disorders can have a significant impact on not only those who live with them, but their families and carers as well – that’s why we are also providing support to families.”

Eating Disorders Victoria CEO Belinda Caldwell said the funding, including $5.8m for its critical work, was a promising step forward.

But Ms Caldwell said services would continue to be fragmented without a clear plan for the broader system.

“This is why we continue to press for the urgent release of the Victorian Eating Disorders Strategy,” she said, which was due to be released last year.

“This strategy is pivotal in establishing a clear stepped system of care, from prevention through to recovery.”

Meanwhile, the opening of Victoria’s first residential eating disorder facility has again been delayed.

Construction of the adult centre was due to be completed in the second quarter of 2024 but is now expected to finish later this year.

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