Body image: How we think and feel about our bodies – school pack

By providing opportunities for children and young people to understand what body image is and how it is connected with mental health and wellbeing, we can support them to take steps to develop and maintain a good body image and protect their mental health and wellbeing.

This school pack provide the materials and resources needed to support pupils to understand: 

• what body image is,  
• what affects body image,  
• how body image affects mental health and wellbeing; and  
• how to develop and maintain a good body image.  

The resources in the body image school pack were developed with pupils and staff who participated in our Peer Education Project (PEP). PEP  is a mental health, school-based project that aims to improve the mental health literacy of pupils. The project is freely available to any UK and international school. 

The pack is designed to be used in secondary schools, but it also has lots of useful information for primary schools.  

The pack includes:

• A lesson plan with PowerPoint slides and worksheets, that support pupils to explore the topic of body image in more depth. 
• An assembly plan with PowerPoint slides and posters to support the development of a whole-school approach to body image and mental health. 
• Helpful guides for pupils, school staff, and caregivers on supporting ourselves and others with body image.  

In 2019, we commissioned a YouGov, UK-wide survey as part of our Body Image report for Mental Health Awareness Week. We found that one in five adults (20%) felt shame, just over one-third (34%) felt down or low, and 19% felt disgusted because of their body image in the last year. We also found that 37% of teenagers felt upset and 31% ashamed about their body image¹. 

This followed on from our findings in 2018, where body image concerns were identified as one of the biggest challenges facing young people in the UK, alongside concerns of ‘lack of employment opportunities’ and ‘failure to succeed within the education system.²

If you need support

• Samaritans: If you need someone to talk to, then Samaritans are available on 116 123 (UK) for free, 24/7. They are there to talk and listen and won't judge or tell you what to do.  
• Mind: If you are looking for professional support, Mind can help you with their Infoline. They can find information for you on what support is available in your local area. You can call them on 0300 123 3393 (UK). 
• BEAT – Eating Disorders: If you want to speak to a trained eating disorder helpline support worker, you can call Beat's helpline on 0808 801 0711 (UK). 
• SEED – Eating Disorders Support Services: providing confidential, independent and non-judgemental advice and support, you can contact them on 01482 718130.