A Border seminar aims to give parents tools to help children and teenagers develop body confidence and prevent unhealthy behaviours and eating disorders.
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The event will be presented by The Butterfly Foundation and hosted by The Scots School Albury on Tuesday, May 7 from 7pm-9pm.
Scots deputy principal David Armstrong said the information session was open to all parents in the community given the critical importance of the issues being discussed.
The topics to be covered include an overview of eating and body related issues and warning signs, key influences on body confidence and the importance of role modelling positive body image and healthy behaviours.
There will be tips for understanding and dealing with negative self-talk as well as referral and support information.
Mr Armstrong said unfortunately issues around body confidence and eating disorders were "surprisingly common and often unrecognised".
Research shows body image is consistently reported as one of the top three concerns for young people.
We know this is an issue that very seriously impacts on young people and their families.
- David Armstrong
"I have worked with families in this space before and it is becoming more of an issue," Mr Armstrong said.
"As educators we know this is an issue that very seriously impacts on young people and their families.
"When problems become acute, it's my understanding and experience that they can be very hard to resolve."
Mr Armstrong said parents were looking for guidance and The Butterfly Foundation was a recognised expert in the field of supporting people affected by eating disorders and negative body image issues.
As part of its Border visit, the foundation will also present a series of age-appropriate programs to Scots School students from Year 3 through to Year 12.
The Year 3 session is called 'Just As I Am'; the Year 5/6 session is 'Building Body Confidence'; the Year 7/8 program is 'Savvy on Social'; and the senior school students will learn more about the fact and fiction of eating disorders.
Mr Armstrong said he believed it was never too soon for parents to become aware of how to help counter negative messaging and build body confidence in their young children and teenagers.
"Parents can have a bigger impact than they realise," he urged.
"As adults, as parents, and in the media we are often unwittingly sending messages to young people that are unhelpful on these matters.
"I think parents of any age children would want to know more about how to have appropriate conversations and be a positive influence."
He said the challenge for parents was not to dismiss the value of attending the seminar with the thinking, "I'm not having any problems with my child so it's not for me".
"You need to prepare yourself; if it is not with your own children, certainly someone among their peers will be affected," he said.
"When more community members can understand and recognise the warning signs, we can intervene to help young people earlier."
- To register attendance or find out more visit The Scots School website or go to the Facebook page.
- For support with an eating disorder or related issue, call the Butterfly national helpline on 1800 33 4673 or to access online counselling go to the website.
