New help for people with eating disorders

An innovative project providing early access support for people with eating disorders is being piloted by the Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI).

GroundED is a digital application offering immediate education and support for people aged 18 years and over who are currently on the waitlist for CCI.

The innovation project was led by CCI Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Raykos in collaboration with a team of clinical experts and a passionate and highly skilled consumer advisory group.

Bronwyn said the app would improve support for people at the time they ask for help, which is critical.

“The timing of accessing support is vital, because delays can potentially lead to people missing the window when they are ready to engage in changing their eating disorder behaviours,” Bronwyn said.

“Consumers are asked to complete weekly questionnaire assessments in relation to eating disorder symptoms, mental and physical health risks, which are reviewed by CCI clinicians.

“This will be the first-time clinicians at CCI have been able to monitor a consumer’s progress before they begin face to face treatment.”

The app was developed over 18 months, with the support of the North Metropolitan Health Service Innovation and Development Hub and the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program and State Government’s Innovation Challenge – Sustainable Health Priorities Program.

The app has been built on the digital health platform WeGuide which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and meets the Australian digital mental health standards. The pilot program will run for 12 months.