Newshub can reveal wait times for children needing to access eating disorder services have skyrocketed since 2017.
That's despite fewer people trying to access them today than five years ago.
One Wellington mother, who wants to remain anonymous to protect her daughter's identity, has told Newshub of her experience trying to get help for her child's eating disorder. It's pushed her to speak out.
"It was quite frightening really," she said.
It took six months to get her teenager the therapy needed.
"While you're waiting, you're flailing around trying to help your child yourself… but you're doing it all on your own and what you need is professional help and support."
Figures obtained by Newshub show many other parents are in the same boat.
In 2017, the number of under-19-year-olds waiting more than eight weeks to access an eating disorder service was 25, or 15 percent of that age group.
But now, there are 71 under-19s waiting more than eight weeks for help - a staggering jump to 50 percent of the age group.
"While you're waiting they can get worse and then you still aren't getting help and they're deteriorating," the mother said.
Matt Doocey, National's mental health spokesperson, said: "My fear is young people are going to die on waiting lists."
The minister in charge, Dr Ayesha Verrall, said a nearly $4 million boost from this year's budget specifically for hiring more staff will turn those wait times around.
"I definitely want shortening wait times to be the focus of where that funding is spent," she said.
There are also fewer people today accessing eating disorder services than there were five years ago, going from 258 to 230 per year.
The increased wait times point to serious staffing shortages and one expert said there's a concerning reason the numbers are declining.
"They're getting turned away by the system… they're told they're not eligible for treatment in the services, for a variety of reasons, including that they're not sick enough," said Nicki Wilson from Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand.
Dr Verrall said the Government knows people with eating disorders "need more care".
Doocey asks: "What are they gonna do today to make sure that vulnerable young Kiwis are gonna get the lifesaving treatment they need?"
Because every day without treatment is putting young Kiwi lives at risk.
