Eating Issues Men's Project

Why an eating issues project for men?

Recent research indicates an increase in eating issues for men.

In 2009 Isis completed a research project to find out why this is the case and how to give better support to those in need.

Our aim

The project aimed to decrease current experience of isolation and shame about eating issues - and, in turn, to raise self-esteem and a healthy sense of control in people’s lives.

There’s been a lot of misinformation about eating issues. So the purpose of the project is to increase access to clear, accurate and helpful information for men, the health care industry and the community generally – that includes downloadable resources and/or printed publications.

As a result of requests made to Isis we also extended this research project to transgender and intersex people and opened our support services to people of any gender.

Once the project is complete we want to be able to offer clear recommendations for future projects, service development and delivery to help people with eating issues further.

Find out more about eating issues

Who can be involved?

If you are over the age of 17 and think you have a serious eating issue that significantly impacts on your life, then you can get information and support.

What do I get out of it?

Free assessments

1 hour ‘Intake’ appointment designed to assess your particular situation and needs.

Access to Counselling Sessions
Counselling spaces available Mondays or Fridays (we can provide other referrals if these times aren’t suitable).

Registered Psychologist
Through GP referral Medicare Rebates and Private Health Rebates may apply for 6-18 sessions in a calendar year.

Sessional Counsellors
Access to sessional counsellors on a sliding income scale is also available.

Find out more about common themes in counselling

Your thoughts heard
You will have the opportunity to be heard and to contribute your ideas and reflections on recovery in further developing resources for people with eating issues. .

Who funded the original Eating Issues Men’s project?

Isis secured $20,000 from Queensland Health to conduct an ‘Eating Issues Pilot Project’ from 2006-2009 (focusing on men) to:

conduct a counselling trial
research good practice
establish referral pathways
resource development

We explored the impact of gender and masculinity on the development and experience of eating issues – and also looked at wasy to make it easier for men, trans and intersex people with eating issues to receive appropriate support.

Common themes in counselling

Below are some common themes discussed in our counselling sessions at Isis:

Different/new ways of coping
Impact of culture, media and other messages
Dissatisfaction with (and distortion of) body image
Exploring the purpose of the eating issue
Personal development & self-esteem
Relationships & trust (family, etc.)
Adult and/or childhood trauma (incl. sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual & ritualised abuse)
Anger and other feeling
Perfectionism
Goal setting and assertiveness
Sexuality
Grief and loss
Conflicts and contradictions
Change and barriers to change