EndED Butterfly House work begins

Sod turned on Butterfly House

Millie Thomas of endED, Kevin Barrow of the Butterfly Foundation, Minister Greg Hunt, Gayle and Mark Forbes, David Murray of the Butterfly Foundation and Andrew Wallace MP at the sod turning ceremony

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt visited the Sunshine Coast to turn the first sod on Australia’s first specialist residential treatment facility for eating disorders - endED Butterfly House at Mooloolah Valley.

The facility, which is the vision of local charity endED and its founders Mark and Gayle Forbes, has received extensive local community support in addition to $6 million in federal funding.

Eating disorders are extremely complex illnesses and have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, with anorexia by far the deadliest mental health condition in Australia. Treatment requires intensive wraparound support and residential centres are essential to deliver this care.

The new facility, located on an idyllic rural property, will provide accommodation and 24/7 intensive care for up to 12 patients at a time.

It will cement the Sunshine Coast’s place as a national leader in the treatment of eating disorders.

The centre will be a communal complex that includes a treatment facility, amenities for cooking, relaxation, fitness rooms and therapy rooms.