A mother who struggled to find help for her two daughters living with an eating disorder in regional Victoria has called for improved access to care for people in all corners of the state.
Jeanette Slaney's eldest daughter began displaying signs of anorexia nervosa at 14 years old in 2004.
At the time, Ms Slaney and her family were living in Shepparton and had "no other" option but to drive more than two hours to Melbourne each week for a psychiatrist appointment.
"It was a big commitment, but there just wasn't an alternative at the time," she said.
Ms Slaney's eldest daughter's health improved within four years.
But in 2009, the mother — who had by then relocated to the nearby town of Benalla — was staring down another heartbreaking case of history repeating.
Her younger daughter, aged 17 years old at the time, also needed treatment for anorexia nervosa.
Ms Slaney initially thought seeking help the second time would be easier, but it was not the case.
"We were back to square one … I went to the local GP, but they had no understanding of an eating disorder … and weren't able to help," she said.
After a long search, Ms Slaney secured a team of experts to help her daughter but, once again, they were all located in Melbourne.
Ms Slaney had to quit her job as a teacher due to the need to travel to attend medical appointments with her younger daughter.
Thankfully, Ms Slaney said both her daughters were now doing "really, really well".
But Ms Slaney said there needed to be more options for people requiring help for eating disorders.
"The more money that can be invested into [support] programs … it would be so helpful," she said.
"We need to get the right help out there and make it accessible."
Support services funding push
Eating Disorders Victoria [EDV] chief executive officer Belinda Caldwell said all its support services were available online and via telehealth, with 20 per cent of service users from regional and rural Victoria.
Yet despite a sustained 70 per cent increase in demand since 2020, Ms Caldwell said the Melbourne-based organisation had "no guarantee of funding for 75 per cent of our services beyond June 30 this year".
"[It's] enormously concerning for our community. We are calling on the Victorian Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams to give Victorians assurance that EDV will still exist in a few months' time."
In a statement, Ms Williams would not be drawn on EDV's call for funding, but said the government was investing "$20 million in this financial year for dedicated and tailored eating disorder supports closer to home for Victoria."
Butterfly Foundation, which also provides support to Australians concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, estimates more than one million people nationally are experiencing an eating disorder.
Spokesperson Melissa Wilton said people in regional or rural areas often faced greater challenges getting help than people living in metropolitan areas.
"We need ongoing funding to be able to service the population longer term," Ms Wilton said.
"We need community-based intermediate levels of care. We need better mental health care with physical health care and nutritional support."
Residential centres in pipeline
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the government had "funded all states to build new residential treatment services for eating disorders".
Some $63 million in funding for the seven centres was announced in the Federal Budget 2019–2020.
Aside from Wandi Nerida on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, which was delivered by the Butterfly Foundation and opened in 2021, six centres in other states will be established in partnership with state and territory governments.
Those centres are either in the planning or construction phase.
Victoria's $14.69 million centre is slated to open in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Armadale in April 2024.
