Occupational Health: Mental Health Awareness Week ‘Body Image’

13 – 19 May is Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for 2019 is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.

Body Image has a direct relevance to everyone reading this. All of us live with our bodies as they evolve and change. Just as all of us have a role in shaping an inclusive culture where we help others feel comfortable in their own skin.

And yet… For too many of us, our bodies are sources of shame and distress. From an early age, we are bombarded with images that define what an ‘ideal body’ looks like. And although we know girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to poor body image, this is an issue that cuts across gender, age, sexuality and ethnicity.

All this might not be so serious if it didn’t have profound implications for our mental and physical health. The opposite also seems true: the more comfortable you are with your body, the greater your overall wellbeing, and the less likely you are to engage in destructive behaviours.

Here in the Occupational Health Department, we would like to remind you of the support you can access if you are struggling with poor body image or other mental health issue:

• SilverCloud: Employees can access SilverCloud our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers secure, immediate access to online CBT programmes for Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Body Image.
• Mental Health First Aiders: We have a dedicated network of skilled Mental Health First Aiders who can be called on in an emergency for staff or students. Find out who the Mental Health First Aiders in your building are here.
• Education Support Partnership: The Education Support Partnership provides mental health and wellbeing support services to all education staff and organisations. They can provide telephone support and counselling.
• Staff Learning Lunches: We have Staff Learning Lunches coming up on ‘How to practice meditation’ (15 May) and ‘Reduce Stress and Health Issues’ (10 June).