Doocey said the Government is committed to strengthening support for those affected by eating disorders, with a particular focus on updating the country’s long-standing strategy document, Future Directions for Eating Disorders Services in New Zealand, which has not been refreshed in 16 years.
“Very positive work is being done across the country to address eating disorder issues, and the Government wants to take this even further,” Doocey said.
“Eating disorders are not choices; they are a health crisis that can seriously disrupt people’s lives. It’s time to update our strategy with clear, prioritised actions for implementation.”
The refreshed strategy aims to improve understanding of eating disorder data and identify gaps where additional resources and services are needed. A key focus will also be on expanding the peer support workforce, involving professionals with lived experience who help guide and support individuals navigating the healthcare system.
“The introduction of new roles like lived-experience peer support workers and family peer support workers provides valuable help and reassurance that recovery is possible,” Doocey said. “These roles also recognise the crucial role that families play in treatment and provide much-needed support to them as well.”
Currently, there are few peer support workers in New Zealand dedicated specifically to eating disorders. Doocey met with one of the country’s only specialist peer support workers at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch to discuss their unique role in improving treatment outcomes.
The minister also met with the South Island Eating Disorders Service (SIEDS), one of four regional specialist hubs working alongside district partners to deliver eating disorder services across New Zealand.
“It is always inspiring to meet with our frontline clinicians and hear about the innovations and improvements underway to support people with eating disorders in their recovery journey,” Doocey said.
SIEDS is actively involved in research partnerships with the University of Otago, focusing on prevention and exploring the genetics of eating disorders—research that could contribute to treatment advances on an international scale.
The service is also working on expanding Media Smart, an eight-lesson programme aimed at improving body image and reducing eating disorder risk factors among young people. Research has shown the programme significantly boosts resilience against harmful media messaging in intermediate-aged students.
“Prevention is key in this space,” Doocey said. “Work like this supports people with mental health and addiction needs, helps them stay well, and moves us closer to achieving the mental health targets this Government has committed to.”
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 runs from 24 February to 2 March, focusing on educating the public about eating disorders and providing hope and visibility to those impacted. New Zealand will also mark its own Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week from 2 September to 8 September.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
“Eating disorders are not choices; they are a health crisis that can seriously disrupt people’s lives. It’s time to update our strategy with clear, prioritised actions for implementation.”
The refreshed strategy aims to improve understanding of eating disorder data and identify gaps where additional resources and services are needed. A key focus will also be on expanding the peer support workforce, involving professionals with lived experience who help guide and support individuals navigating the healthcare system.
“The introduction of new roles like lived-experience peer support workers and family peer support workers provides valuable help and reassurance that recovery is possible,” Doocey said. “These roles also recognise the crucial role that families play in treatment and provide much-needed support to them as well.”
Currently, there are few peer support workers in New Zealand dedicated specifically to eating disorders. Doocey met with one of the country’s only specialist peer support workers at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch to discuss their unique role in improving treatment outcomes.
The minister also met with the South Island Eating Disorders Service (SIEDS), one of four regional specialist hubs working alongside district partners to deliver eating disorder services across New Zealand.
“It is always inspiring to meet with our frontline clinicians and hear about the innovations and improvements underway to support people with eating disorders in their recovery journey,” Doocey said.
SIEDS is actively involved in research partnerships with the University of Otago, focusing on prevention and exploring the genetics of eating disorders—research that could contribute to treatment advances on an international scale.
The service is also working on expanding Media Smart, an eight-lesson programme aimed at improving body image and reducing eating disorder risk factors among young people. Research has shown the programme significantly boosts resilience against harmful media messaging in intermediate-aged students.
“Prevention is key in this space,” Doocey said. “Work like this supports people with mental health and addiction needs, helps them stay well, and moves us closer to achieving the mental health targets this Government has committed to.”
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 runs from 24 February to 2 March, focusing on educating the public about eating disorders and providing hope and visibility to those impacted. New Zealand will also mark its own Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week from 2 September to 8 September.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
4 comments:
Well this will all make no difference. There was no talk of how the treaty and Maori 'science' must be studied first.
Eating disorders are common in pagan cultures, but not truly Christian ones. The only solution is to return to Christianity and these problems will gradually resolve.
Seriously...???!!!
>"Eating disorders are common in pagan cultures, but not truly Christian ones. The only solution is to return to Christianity..."
They've got their own eating disorder - ritual cannibalism.
"'Take, eat; this is my body. ' And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood..."
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