A revolutionary new digital platform offering free, on-demand support for Australians living with eating disorders has just launched, and advocates are calling it a “watershed moment” for national mental health care!
Unveiled at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, the InsideOut Institute’s eClinic is the first of its kind globally. It’s an entirely free, evidence-based digital treatment hub tailored to people experiencing eating disorders, as well as their families, carers and healthcare professionals.
The launch brought together clinicians, mental health advocates, politicians and individuals with lived experience, all with a common aim – to improve early access to treatment for one of the most misunderstood and under-treated mental illnesses in the country.
“Eating disorders are serious and growing public health concerns, yet stigma, shame, and a fragmented health system mean many Australians never receive the care they need,” said Professor Sarah Maguire OAM, Director of the InsideOut Institute.
“This eClinic offers a vital front door to the healthcare system—making expert help available to everyone, regardless of postcode or income.”
So what’s included in the eClinic?
The clinic includes a suite of self-guided digital tools, including BEeT, a program for binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, SkillED, for a wider range of eating disorder symptoms, SupportED for carers, and a dedicated hub for healthcare professionals.
And there’s an undeniable need for it. Currently, only around 20% of people with an eating disorder receive treatment, and it can take up to a decade for many to be diagnosed and supported. The eClinic seeks to change that trajectory, offering immediate access to therapeutic resources backed by clinical research.
Former AFL footballer Brock McLean shared his personal story of battling bulimia nervosa during and after his elite sporting career. Now an ambassador for the InsideOut eClinic, Brock said the platform addresses some of the most persistent barriers.
“The biggest challenge was admitting I needed help. But once I did, everything changed. The eClinic will save lives.”
The eClinic has also received strong endorsement from carers and advocates, including Eating Disorders Families Australia’s Executive Director, Jane Rowan, who praised the platform’s potential to transform the landscape of care.
“Eating disorders can pervade every aspect of a person’s life and cause immense distress for families. With disordered eating on the rise in Australia—up 21% over the past decade—this initiative is timely, essential, and widely welcomed,” she said.
And Adelaide-based peer support worker Lauren, who lived with anorexia nervosa for over 14 years, echoed the need for early intervention.
“If my dad hadn’t stepped in, I honestly don’t think I’d be here today,” she said. “The sooner you act, the better your chance of recovery. The eClinic can be a game changer.”
Designed with input from clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience, the eClinic offers flexibility and anonymity, especially vital in rural, regional and underserved communities, where eating disorder services are often scarce or non-existent.
“This platform breaks the assumption that only young, underweight women are affected,” said Dr Sarah Barakat, the eClinic’s lead researcher. “Our goal is timely, inclusive care—and our findings show that just 10 sessions of digital therapy can deliver outcomes on par with 20 face-to-face sessions.”
As Australia confronts rising rates of eating disorders, the launch of the eClinic signals a shift towards more equitable, accessible and proactive treatment models.
WHAT: Free eating disorder eClinic launch
WHERE: Launched at Parliament House on Thursday
For more info or to access the eClinic, click here.
If you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing an eating disorder, contact a healthcare provider or head to insideoutinstitute.org.au to complete an online screener and receive tailored support.
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