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About
Eating disorders
Support provided by or between people with lived experience
Peer support involves people drawing on their own lived experience and knowledge of recovery from an eating disorder to help others achieve improvements on aspects of their recovery. It can be the bridge between professional/clinical support (e.g. medical, psychological or dietetic) and real-life practical application of change.
Peer support can come in different forms and might be provided by someone you know personally or through a peer support worker.
Peer support aims to:
Peer support is not intended to be a replacement for medical or therapeutic intervention (e.g. GP, psychologist, dietitian). You should still seek out and maintain contact with a multidisciplinary care team to ensure your physical and mental health is being monitored by a professional on a regular basis.
Peer support might be delivered through one-on-one sessions or peer support groups. It can occur in informal settings (e.g meeting at a café), during mealtimes and through other flexible communication methods (e.g. texting). Peer support typically takes on the following forms.
Peer support workers are employed in a paid or voluntary capacity and trained to draw on their lived experience to help others recover.
Peer support workers are not doctors, therapists or clinicians. They have specific training and experience, and can provide practical solutions tailored to fit your needs.
If you receive support under an eligible NDIS package, the term ‘psychosocial recovery coach’ is likely to be used in place of peer support worker.
Peer support can help individuals living with eating disorders at any stage of recovery and for all types of eating issues.
Peer support may benefit you if you’re unsure about seeking professional support (e.g. doctors, health professionals). Speaking to someone with lived experience can demonstrate that recovery is possible and clear up misconceptions about eating disorders and the recovery process.
Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) provides individual and group peer support including:
To find information about or access EDQ’s peer support services, contact the EDQ Care Navigator by emailing admin@edq.org.au, calling 07 3844 6055 or visiting the EDQ website.
The Butterfly Foundation holds virtual support groups for people across Australia that are facilitated by trained peer facilitators with lived experience of eating disorders.
You can also access informal peer support by connecting with individuals who have been through eating disorder recovery.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connections to land, waterways and culture. We pay our respect to all Australian Indigenous Peoples and their cultures, and to Elders of past, present and future generations.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connections to land, waterways and culture. We pay our respect to all Australian Indigenous Peoples and their cultures, and to Elders of past, present and future generations.
Brisbane North PHN wishes to acknowledge the experience and expertise of the My Mental Health Steering Committee, delegates of the Peer Participation in Mental Health Services (PPIMS) network and health professionals in developing the My Mental Health Website.
