Public perceptions of people with eating disorders: Commentary on results from the 2022 Australian national survey of mental health-related stigma and discrimination

Mental illness is highly prevalent in the community. As such, significant attention has been paid in recent years to raising awareness of the mental health disorders (including eating disorders). This includes efforts to normalise help-seeking, campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination, targeted research funding and advocacy for improved and accessible mental health service provision. But have these initiatives changed public attitude? The 2022 National Survey of Mental Health-Related Stigma and Discrimination is the first of four national surveys canvassing the general public’s perceptions of people with mental health disorders (including stigmatising and discriminatory beliefs) conducted since 1995 to include eating disorders. It finds significant prejudice against those with mental health disorders still exists within the community, particularly among younger Australians. For eating disorders, this is primarily related to attributions of blame and personal weakness. Findings from the survey are discussed in this commentary.