The Upskilling Project, funded by the Deparment of Health, Disability and Ageing, is embedding sustainable, system-level improvements in early identification and stepped care for eating disorders in mainstream mental health pathways for the first time. Despite being well-positioned to identify emerging symptoms and respond early in the illness trajectory, generalist mental health services often lack the skills and programs to do so. Systemic barriers to receiving care result in lengthy waitlists and prolonged illness.

The Upskilling program has the potential to radically transform the provision of care for people with eating disorders in Australia. This project involves the establishment and implementation of an early intervention digitally-supported treatment pathway into nationwide youth mental health clinics (headspace) and corresponding adult services (Medicare Mental Health, Head to Health and Initial Assessment and Referral services). It is building the capability and confidence of frontline mental health clinicians nationwide to identify and treat eating disorders as core business by delivering a fit-for-purpose training and education program.