Body Image Forum

Body Image has been identified as a significant issue for Australia’s youth. The Butterfly Foundation’s Body Kind Youth Survey was completed by over 1,600 Australians aged 12-18 years. Disturbingly, some of the key findings were –

• More than 90% of young people have a concern about their body image
• Nearly 70% of young people said they have experienced appearance-related teasing, with 73% of these saying they’d experienced it at school
• Nearly two-thirds of young people say 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

Allegra Spender, Member for Wentworth is hosting a parent and carers forum, along with 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
• Isabella Griggs – youth advocate and counsellor in training
• Jaimee Krawitz – 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

The key focus of the forum will be the sharing of practical information, education possibilities and community resources about body image and is for parents and carers as well as educators.

An invite can be found here.