A Critical Gap: Eating Disorder Trial Ends as Deaths Surpass Road Toll

A promising clinical trial for anorexia nervosa treatment will cease this year due to a lapse in funding, according to researchers, as new data indicates eating disorders caused more deaths in Australia in 2023 than road accidents.

Experts cite persistent stigma, misconceptions about who is affected, and a historical lack of research investment as significant barriers to improving treatment and outcomes.

Key Findings and Statistics

The scale of the challenge is underscored by recent data:

• In 2023, 1,273 Australians died from eating disorders, a figure that exceeded the 1,266 road fatalities recorded the same year.
• Anorexia nervosa has a mortality rate where an estimated 20% of sufferers die within 20 years of diagnosis, described by researchers as the highest among psychiatric illnesses.
• Approximately 1.1 million Australians have an eating disorder, a rate reported by experts as the highest globally.
• Contacts to the Butterfly National Helpline increased by 125% from 2016 to 2026, rising from under 10,000 to 24,500 contacts.
• The proportion of callers to the helpline considering self-harm or suicide increased fourfold from 2020 to 2024, according to the Butterfly Foundation.
• The Butterfly Foundation's national residential treatment centre, Wandi Nerida in Queensland, has a six-month waiting list.
• Current recovery rates for anorexia and bulimia are approximately 50%, according to available data.

Research Funding and the Orygen Trial

A clinical trial conducted by Orygen and the University of Melbourne's Centre for Youth Mental Health tested a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for anorexia nervosa. Results published in August 2025 reported meaningful improvement in 75% of participants.

However, researchers state that funding for this line of brain research has lapsed and the trial will cease at the end of June 2026.

Associate Professor Andrea Phillipou, a principal research fellow involved in the trial, stated that attempts to secure government or philanthropic funding to continue the research were unsuccessful.

Professor Pat McGorry of Orygen stated that eating disorders "are not taken seriously by the research world" despite significant mortality and morbidity. Andrea Phillipou described anorexia as "one of the most underfunded mental health conditions globally."

Reported Barriers: Stigma and Perception

Experts and support organizations point to widespread stigma and misconceptions as factors influencing both public understanding and systemic support.

The Butterfly Foundation's Community Insights Report 2024 found that:

• 17% of Australians believe eating disorders are a lifestyle choice or about vanity.
• 16% perceive eating disorders as a sign of weakness.
• 14% agree that people with eating disorders could "snap out of it."

Andrea Phillipou stated that anorexia is often perceived as a disease affecting "young, white, affluent females," a characterization she and others argue is inaccurate and contributes to underfunding. Phillipou suggested that "if this were a condition that affected more males, there would be much more investment."

Professor Richard Newton, a psychiatrist and board member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, cited research indicating that people with eating disorders are regarded more negatively by some mental health clinicians than those with personality disorders. He stated that "a lot of psychiatrists are very reluctant to see people with eating disorders because they don't have the training and because of their own feelings about eating disorders."

Treatment Landscape and New Approaches

The primary treatment model for adolescents is family-based treatment, which involves parents enforcing structured refeeding. Professor Pat McGorry noted this approach "can result in great conflict" and causes "significant damage to families."

Pilot Program at The Alfred Hospital

The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne is piloting an alternative "Eating Disorders Intensive at Home" service. Key features of the program include:

• An "open dialogue" approach that focuses on building trust and maintaining family connection, rather than immediate clinical weight management.
• Approximately 40% of staff have lived experience with eating disorders, either as former patients or as parents of patients.
• The program aims to provide support in a home environment to reduce hospitalizations.

Dr. Paul Denborough, the hospital's infant, child and youth mental health lead, described anorexia as "a totally treatable condition if you get onto it straight away." Program lead Rachel Barbara-May reported that the approach appears to be reducing hospitalizations and rehospitalizations, though a formal evaluation is pending.

Sarah Bonavia, a psychology student and youth lived-experience worker in the program who developed anorexia in childhood, stated her experience was not related to affluence but stemmed from bullying and a desire to fit in.

Service Access and Systemic Challenges

Access to specialized treatment remains limited. Beyond the waiting list at Wandi Nerida, Western Australia currently lacks a dedicated residential eating disorder clinic. Federal funding was announced for a WA clinic in 2019, but the state government has stated the allocated funds were insufficient and not consulted upon. Planning for a facility is now underway, according to WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat.

A new community-based outpatient service, the Kara Maar Specialist Community Eating Disorder Service, is opening south of Perth to provide assessment and treatment, but it does not include inpatient beds.

Medical training is also cited as a challenge. Professor Richard Newton stated that training often does not adequately prepare clinicians to understand eating disorders, partly due to limited research influenced by negative attitudes.

Context and Trends

Eating disorders are reported to be the only mental health condition whose rates have continued to increase rather than plateau after a general COVID-19-induced spike in mental health conditions.

Support is available via the Butterfly National Helpline at 1800 33 4673.