Professor Patrick McGorry, executive director of Orygen, which will be a lead partner in the national consortium said:
"The award of this Research Grant to the University of Sydney and partners, including Orygen, to support a long overdue wave of innovation and research in eating disorders could not have come at a more critical time with a new surge in eating disorders during the pandemic.
“Orygen is delighted to have the opportunity to work in a collaborative partnership with Inside Out at the University of Sydney to create a fresh approach to the understanding, prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
“We are very grateful to the Federal government for devoting vital new research funding to this neglected public health priority.”
Professor Ian Hickie, co-director of the Brain and Mind Centre said there is an urgent need for really novel and truly innovative research that can save lives that are otherwise lost or ruined by these devastating disorders.
“This Centre will strive for major breakthroughs, with particular emphasis on those interventions that can be delivered early in the course of illness, at scale, and lead to sustained recovery.”
InsideOut Director Professor Stephen Touyz said the Australian Government should be commended for this investment.
“For the first time, this centre will bring together the country’s leading researchers to develop an integrated research agenda to transform the lives of those with the lived experience of an eating disorder. This initial funding is an important start.”
Professor Ian Caterson, Clinical Director, Sydney Local Health District, welcomes the initiative.
“Eating disorders are complex diseases and produce much distress and illness in those who suffer them - and their families and carers. They produce a range of mental health, social and medical issues and are seen by many in health as difficult to treat.
“This initiative will help Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney continue to develop an effective, strong integrated care model which tackles the range of issues those with eating disorders can experience and make equitable, accessible care available to many more.”
