The federal government will invest $13 million to help mental health professionals and researchers improve treatment outcomes for Australians living with eating disorders.
Mr Butler said the 'InsideOut Institute' will receive funding tor the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre.
The centre was officially launched by the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, at the University of Sydney.
Eating disorders have some of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness and many Australians often go undiagnosed.
Minister McBride said the new centre will focus on research to prevent and treat eating disorders, translating these developments into frontline services and co-designing treatments with people with lived experience, their family, and carers.
The InsideOut Institute will also receive $1.9 million from the federal government to train staff at Head to Health and headspace centres to identify people with eating disorders and provide evidence-based care for them.
While that work is underway, the Institute has begun treating patients living with eating disorders on lengthy waiting lists.
“Eating disorders can have a traumatic impact on individuals and their families, which is why the Albanese Government is determined to improve treatment options for all Australians,” said Minister McBride.
“The InsideOut Institute and the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre will bring mental health professionals together from around the country to develop better treatment options for people living with eating disorders.
“This Centre will improve the lives of people living with mental ill-health and make sure they can get the care and support they need, when they need it.”