Media Release

Peers help patients with eating disorders

24 January 2008 

Past and present NorthWestern Mental Health eating disorders patients are sharing experiences to aid their recovery, in a new peer-mentoring program.

The program involves volunteers who have completed the day patient program at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. The volunteers undergo mentorship training and return to the unit, once a month, to mentor current patients.

Jani White, Royal Melbourne Hospital Eating Disorders Day Patient Coordinator, says the program provides current patients with credible support.

“The mentors’ advice is more readily accepted by patients because it is authentic and coming from somebody who understands what they are going through.

“The mentors also provide patients the opportunity to learn about what lies ahead in the recovery process, alert them to potential trouble spots and give them skills to navigate difficult times,” Ms White said.

Sandra, from Parkville, first received treatment for an eating disorder four years ago. In 2006, she completed the Eating Disorders Unit Day Patient Program at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and last year she became a mentor for other patients coming through the program.

Sandra says she became a mentor for two reasons: to help others get better and to moderate her own recovery.

“When you have an eating disorder you think that you are alone in your thoughts, and nobody else would think thoughts like yours.

“If you have the chance to speak to others who have experienced an eating disorder you realise you are not alone. I want to give others this opportunity.

“I also find that talking openly about the recovery process, and other issues associated with having an eating disorder, helps keep me in check,” Sandra said.

The peer mentor program is already receiving great feedback from patients. One patient said, “The mentor sessions really pick you up when you’re going through a rough spot.

“I find the honest feedback about struggles and triggers really helpful and hearing others’ stories engenders a sense of hope,” she said.

If you are worried about a family member, friend, or if you need help yourself, you can contact the Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria on 9885 0318.

The Foundation provides support, information and referral for people with eating disorders, their families and friends.

Eating Disorders Day Patient Program (DPP)

Background information

Established in 1997, NorthWestern Mental Health’s Eating Disorders Day Patient Program is an intensive treatment option for people suffering from an eating disorder.

It is one of three tiers of support available to people with eating disorders from NorthWestern Mental Health at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The program runs five days a week, for a minimum of eight weeks, and is staffed by a multi disciplinary team, which includes a dietician, a psychologist, a social worker, psychiatrists, and nurses.

Each year approximately 20-30 patients receive ongoing treatment as part of the DPP.

The average age range of patients is 18-30.

The DPP supports people with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specialised) to normalise their dietary intake and eating behaviours.

The program facilitates the development of the skills vital to combat the oppressive mental preoccupation with fearful thoughts about food and fat that most patients experience.

The program also aims to create positive changes in activities that have been adversely affected by the eating disorder to the extent that they maintain the illness, such as social isolation.

Media contact: Katrina Coulson - 0419 878 925