13% of adults have had suicidal thoughts over body image distress says Mental Health Foundation
As many as one in eight people have considered taking their own lives because of concerns relating to body image, according to research by the Mental Health Foundation. The report was published today to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 this week (May 13-19).
The new research, which polled 4,505 adults, is one of the largest surveys ever completed to capture how we feel about our bodies.
As well as highlighting the fact that millions of British adults have experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings due to their body image, the survey found that more than a third of respondents said their body image left them feeling anxious (34%) or depressed (35%).
Additionally, 20% of those surveyed felt shame over the way they looked and 19% reported feeling “disgusted”.
The report suggested that social media and images used in advertising have a significant part to play in how we perceive our body image, with almost half of the 18 to 24-year-olds blaming the former for provoking anxieties about the way they look while one in five said the latter.
In light of the research, the charity is calling for effective regulation of how body image is portrayed in the media, urging the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to consider vetting ads from high-risk industries, such as cosmetic surgery companies and weight loss services.
The charity is directing social media companies towards the Be Real Campaign’s Body Image Pledge, which encourages them to commit to finding new ways to promote a positive body image and ensure a diverse range of body types is presented on their platforms.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation commented, "This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is body image. It is a subject that has a direct relevance to all of us. We are all learning to live with the wonders and limitations of our bodies as they change through life. No piece of technology that we will ever buy will match the complexity, sophistication and regenerative powers of our bodies. And yet, for too many of us, our bodies are sources of shame and distress.
"Last year, our survey of respondents who had experienced high levels of stress revealed that 47% of 18-24-year-olds, 36% of all women, and almost one in five people (18%) aged 55+ had experienced stress over their body image to the extent of being overwhelmed and unable to cope in the last year. It was clearly an issue that needed more attention. This year’s report builds on the latest published research with one of the largest surveys ever completed to capture how we feel about our bodies.
The report sets out the individual, family and cultural influences that are coming together to mean that we often have a gnawing and debilitating sense of dissatisfaction with our own bodies. We also identify the heightened risks of mental health problems that too often accompany poor body image.
"There is a long tradition of Western philosophers who have shaped how we think about our bodies as different and separate from our mind. But the evidence has led us to question this form of dualism and instead embrace a holistic understanding about the inter-relatedness of our bodies and minds. This is vital to achieve a healthier population. And we are now clear that cultures that are focused on materialism, consumption and celebrity lifestyles fare worse both in terms of people’s body image and mental health.
"So, we make the case that the distress related to poor body image and the related mental health problems can be prevented. This report is clear that changes to culture, parenting styles, schooling approaches, use of technology, advertising standards and how we address discrimination will make a real difference.
"We are not publishing this report simply for information. We are calling for action across all levels of society, which, if heeded, will help us to be kinder to our bodies and healthier in our minds."
