More than 90% of young people have a concern about their body image What’s the best way to talk about it?”
On Wednesday the 1st of November at 6pm, Allegra Spender MP, the Independent Federal Member for Wentworth, will be hosting a forum focused on body image and eating disorders. This is an opportunity for the community to discuss one of the most serious issues facing young people today. The forum is aimed at educators, parents, and carers. If this is you, please register and come along.
“Youth mental health, and particularly body image and eating disorders, is one of the issues that young people in Wentworth have told me is most important to them. Frankly, as a parent – and speaking to other parents – it is hugely important to us as well.” Allegra says.
“That is why I am holding a forum to support parents, carers, and educators in Wentworth to provide practical advice on how to talk about body image and what to do if a young person in your life is affected.”
Challenges with body image are one of the big issues facing young people, with research by The Butterfly Foundationfinding that:
- Nearly 70% of young people in Australia said they have experienced appearance-related teasing, with 73% of these saying they’d experienced it at school.
- Nearly two-thirds of young people said their body image stops them from doing physical activities.
- 50% of young people said that how they view their body has prevented them at some point from raising their hand in class.
The focus of the forum will be sharing practical information and educational resources that you can use to support the young people in your life. We will cover how to broach the topic of body image , warning signs to watch out for, and the sorts of language to use with those who are affected.
Allegra will be joined by a panel of experts including:
- Helen Bird, Education Services Manager, the Butterfly Foundation – the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.
- Dr Helen Rydge – a Clinical Psychologist who has worked with clients with eating disorders and body image concerns for over 20 years across a range of public and private settings.
- Jaimee Krawitz – CEO of Hide N Seek and a local counsellor who is releasing an e-book about the importance of language surrounding body image and eating disorders as well as the importance of placing preventative measures in the curriculum.
- Isabella Griggs – a youth advocate and counsellor in training.
This forum is aimed at educators, parents, and carers. Allegra will be running a separate forum next year with young people.
Details:
Wednesday the 1st of November, 6pm at the Church in the Marketplace in Bondi Junction.
More information and register to come along here: Body Image Forum (allegraspender.com.au)
