It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies. Body image issues and mental health problems of all kinds can affect all of us, at any age, at any time.
One in eight 5-19 year olds have a clinically diagnosed mental disorder. Risk factors are cumulative with children exposed to multiple risks such as social disadvantage, family adversity and cognitive or attention problems being much more likely to develop emotional and behavioural problems.
‘Body image’ is a term that can be used to describe how we think and feel about our bodies. Our thoughts and feelings about our bodies can impact us throughout our lives, affecting, more generally, the way we feel about ourselves and our mental health and wellbeing.
An important key to promoting children’s mental health and feelings about themselves is to understand the protective factors that enable children to be resilient when they encounter problems and challenges. Resilience is linked to self-esteem and confidence and a belief in own self-efficacy and ability to deal with change and ability to adapt and being able to have a range of problem solving approaches.
See here for a list of Mental Health Services for Children & Young People in Brighton & Hove.
The LSCB offer training for Children’s Services staff to explore the way parental mental health difficulties can impact on the lives of children and young people. The day session explores how they can work together to create better outcomes for families. The aim is to promote effective working together across agencies when working with families where a parent or carer has a mental health problem.
See more about the event and how to book a place here.
Join the mental health charity Mind to explore the impact of body image on mental health and wellbeing through interactive activities, short films, information and friendly conversations. Take part in body collage and positive body image pledges.
Come and say hello: Friday 17 May, 3-6pm in Wellsbourne Health Centre, Whitehawk
Read the body image report by the Mental Health Foundation
Read a blog from Mental Health Foundation CEO Mark Rowland on this year’s theme
Sources:
Children’s Society: Body Image
NHS: Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2017
Has needs met within universal provision. May need limited intervention within the setting to avoid needs arising.
Has additional needs identified within the setting that can be met within identified resources through a single agency response and partnership working.
Has multiple needs requiring a multi-agency coordinated response.
Has a high level of unmet & complex needs, or is in need of protection.