Body Kind September

This September, Saint Ignatius College will join hundreds of organisations around Australia to promote positive body image in support of Body Kind Schools.

This is an annual campaign that encourages young people and their communities to:

• Be kind to their own body, in the language they use, how they nourish and move their body;

• Be kind to others, online and face to face, and

• Celebrate and respect the differences and diversity in their own body and others.

Studies continue to report that the way young people feel about their bodies is affecting their health, mental health and wellbeing. By way of example, a recent national survey of almost 3,000 young people by the Butterfly Foundation found that:

• More than half reported being dissatisfied with how their body looks

• More than two thirds wished they were thinner/leaner and more muscular

• More than three quarters have experienced appearance-related teasing

• More than 60% reported that social media has contributed to the problem.

Early intervention and education have proven to be critical in improving outcomes for people with body image issues. Saint Ignatius College has therefore been engaging in a number of activities in and around this month, including: running tailored classroom activities in mentor time for the junior years; displaying Body Kind messaging around the school; reinforcing the positive messaging with teachers; running a targeted small group program, and offering a student leaders’ workshop.

The home is also an important place to foster positive attitudes and behaviours around body, appearance, eating and exercise, so we are encouraging our families to get on board and have these important conversations at home. Further information about Body Kind schools and Body Kind families can be found at www.butterfly.org.au/bodykind.

From the Wellbeing Team.