The livED project - Be the voice of change for people with eating disorders

lived.org.au

It’s time to fill the gaps in awareness and understanding. Research into lived and living experiences of eating disorders can take a limited view of individual stories and situations where people have to fit into the research rather than the research being built around people. The livED project aims to change that.  

livED is a place where anyone who has ever experienced body image, eating or exercise concerns, anyone who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder or anyone who has a lived experience but has never shared it, can contribute to research. Contributions can be as individual as the person with the choice of journal entries, short responses, recordings, image uploads or health measures.

livED is the first of its kind in mental health research, co-designed by lived experience, clinical and digital experts uniquely developed to allow people to share their stories, their way, with the overall objective to improve and diversify the understanding of eating disorders within the community and to inform health system approaches.

We are seeking people who:

• Are 16 years or over
• Have a self-reported past or current lived experience of eating disorder symptoms, whether formally diagnosed or not
• Have access to a computer, mobile or tablet device via an internet connection
• Able to read and respond in the English language

Research/Digital contact

Dr Jane Miskovic-Wheatley, E: livedstudy@sydney.edu.au

Media Contact

Juanita Nantes, P: 0434 890 694, E: Juanita.nantes@sydney.edu.au

Help and Support

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact:

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or support@butterfly.org.au
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14

Ethics 

This study has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Ethics Review Committee. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Human Ethics Manager - (02) 8627 8176 or human.ethics@sydney.edu.au and quote protocol number [2023/895]. Any future research will be reviewed and approved by an appropriately accredited Human Research Ethics Committee.

Funding

The livED project is part of the MAINSTREAM Collaboration for Health System Research & Translation in Eating Disorders and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care National Health and Medical Research Council MRFF Million Minds Mission. mainstreamresearch.org.au