Approximately 70 million* people internationally live with an eating disorder
Approximately 70 million* people internationally live with an eating disorder.
We are here to start the conversation, challenge the stigma and create change in this space, so the statistics can change
* Source eatingdisorders.org.au
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
It is estimated that 75% of
people with an eating disorder don’t seek professional help.
It can be difficult for a family to seek help, find the right help, and know what to do to support their loved one struggling with an eating disorder.
We support families by assisting them with lived experience and management guidance so they can access the professional help they require.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Eating disorders, along with substance use disorder, have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders
Through annual community events we provide a fun, safe and supportive environment. We celebrate what it means to have positive mental health, whilst addressing eating and mental health disorders so they can be recognised as a serious issue that requires more awareness.
RAISING AWARENESS
Eating disorders are among the leading causes of burden of disease and injury in young females in Australia.
Body dissatisfaction, feelings of shame, embarrassment, and denial are recognised as common barriers associated with eating disorders and accessing help. We challenge the stigma by starting conversations about eating disorders on our Facebook and Instagram page. Encouraging those who are experiencing an eating disorder not to feel embarrassed about their diagnosis. Also, encouraging the greater community to be more aware and educated on eating disorders and the early symptoms.
OUR IMPACT
Ashlee from The Secret Burden is someone who has picked me up on so many occasions where I thought I was at the end. She is someone who always answered the phone when I needed the strength within me. She is a strong woman changing young girls worlds one conversation at a time.
The Secret Burden has been a shining glimmer of hope, especially for those living in Northern NSW and the Gold Coast due to the lack of services and support networks available in the area. I have personally battled with anorexia for 19 years kept it hidden from fear of shame and embarrassment. While I was receiving treatment I across The Secret Burden through social media. The Secret Burden has helped me greatly in providing social check-ins and messages of supports as I continue my journey of recovery and I cannot thank Ashlee form The Secret Burden enough for all her hard work, support and determination.
We reached out to Kendall from The Secret Burden and from the first-time meeting with Kendall on the phone till today she has shown us an immense amount of support to my myself & my daughter through one of the most difficult time in our life. Kendall's kind heart & sympathetic ear is something as a mother will never forget. With every interaction she would always check on how I was coping mentally & never shied away from being a phone call away.
I have struggled with disordered thoughts around food and body image since I was a little girl, it wasn’t until I met Ashlee from The Secret Burden when I realised this wasn’t normal and I could have a life beyond my fixations on food, body image and eating disorder behaviours. When I was diagnosed with an eating disorder it was extremely scary as I had been in denial for years, I felt so overwhelmed and alone. Having Ash guide me and support me through this experience has helped me more than she could ever know. Before I met Ash, I followed The Secret Burden on social media, and it was this page that’s helped me get by. Ashlee’s words of encouragement, being honest about fake platforms and her real-life advice gave me hope. Ash has a truly inspiring story and her courage to share it with the world helps me and so many others. I couldn’t have done this journey without her.
The Secret Burden is a critical source of information and support that encourages young people to love who they are right now. This inspires me as an older male to be aware of how I can carry this message forward in my day to day life for those who are important to me.
The last few years has been really difficult for me. I was diagnosed with Anorexia 2 years ago. It was almost bittersweet, to lead me to the path of Ash & The Secret Burden. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of support & compassion Ash has shown me. I honestly cannot thank her enough for her knowledge & understanding she has shown me. As a young teenager living with Anorexia, I inspire to be & better myself everyday like her. Ash has so much to give in so many different ways. She is very positive & uplifting. I honestly don't know how I can thank her enough.
I was fortunate to discover the Secret Burden team at an event where Ashlee shared her story, I was so inspired I redirected my career into supporting people with eating disorders.
The Secret Burden made me and my daughter feel like we weren’t alone in our ANA journey. Kendall and Ash have given us unwavering support and guidance. Their insight into ANA is real and relatable. We have called on them in times of panic and stress and they have always supported us with helpful, practical and encouraging advice. The Secret Burden gives hope that ANA can be defeated.
BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION
Join our team and start the conversation with us today
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The Secret Burden's
Short Film Project
We are aligning with Arise Digital to produce a preventative short film exposing the environments eating disorders can develop in and how certain people in such environments can influence an eating disorder.
We need to raise funds to produce six scenes for the short film project.
Our goal is to air the short film in schools and sporting environments to educate students, parents, teachers and sporting facilitators on the signs and symptoms of eating disorders so they can be prevented.
Sponsor today to help get our short film to production phase in 2023.
