New Back-to-School Video Series
New Back-to-School Video Series
Back to School, Body image: be your teen’s ally
Back-to-school season marks the start of a new school year, but it also brings new social dynamics and new challenges for teens. At a time when their bodies are changing, the way young people perceive their appearance can take on greater importance.
Only 40% of high school students (4 in 10) say they are satisfied with their physical appearance, compared with 50% in 2010–2011, according to 2022–2023 data from the INSPQ.
To help parents support their teens with sensitivity and understanding, Youth in Mind Foundation is launching a new three-part video series: “Body image: be your teen’s ally”.
Featuring Jessica Barker, actress, host and mom, and Julianne Béliveau, a doctoral student in clinical psychology and researcher specializing in positive body image, the series offers simple, practical ways to help teens develop a positive body image and lasting self-esteem.
Body Image in Adolescence: Why Parents Matter
Young people’s bodies change, but their worth is not defined by their appearance. As a parent, you can help create an environment that supports healthy self-esteem through the words you use every day and the way you talk about your own body and the bodies of others.
The goal is not to be perfect. It is about becoming more aware of certain habits and developing new ways of responding that can help you become a stronger ally for your teen.
Video 1: Be a model of self-compassion
Comments that may seem harmless, such as “I’ve gained weight” or “Are you really going to eat all that?” can have a greater impact on a young person’s body image than we might realize.
In this first video, parents are invited to try a simple exercise: describe themselves without referring to their physical appearance.
By treating their own bodies and other people’s bodies with greater respect, parents can set a more positive example for their teen. It is not about always finding the perfect words, but rather becoming more aware of how much emphasis is placed on appearance in everyday conversations.
The first step: treating yourself with more kindness.
Two More Videos to Help You Become a Better Ally
The series also explores two other practical ways parents can support their teen in developing a positive body image.
🎬Video 2: Praise your teen for more than their appearance
Complimenting someone’s appearance often comes naturally. This video encourages parents to shift the focus from how their teen looks to who they are: their qualities, their strengths, and everything their body allows them to do.
It is a way to build self-esteem that goes beyond physical appearance.
🎬Video 3: Encourage Critical Thinking About Online Content
Social media, advertising, and television expose young people to a constant stream of idealized images that can influence how they see themselves.
This video offers practical tips to help teens take a more critical look at the content they see online and choose content that makes them feel good rather than content that fuels comparison.
We can’t control everything, but we can give teens the tools they need.
Being an Ally, One Small Step at a Time
Building a strong relationship with your teen, encouraging a positive body image, and helping them navigate social pressures around appearance can all begin with small changes in everyday life.
Explore all our resources to help teens develop a positive body image:
BEING A POSITIVE MODEL FOR TEENS’ BODY IMAGE
Here are a few practical tips to help you adopt the right attitude and have a positive impact on the young people in your life.
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Back to School: How To Overcome Appearance Anxiety
Here’s some advice to help you better understand why some teens develop anxiety about their appearance and how you can help them have an easier time going back to school.
Learning to appreciate your body for more than what it looks like
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you appreciate your body’s unique strengths and everything it allows you to do on a daily basis (beyond its appearance).
READ ARTICLE
Positive affirmations to remind me to appreciate my body and everything it...
Positive affirmations that will help you practise expressing gratitude towards your body.
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The Teen Toolkit
Whether it’s for you or for a friend going through tough times, we help teens with anxiety and provide answers to questions openly, simply and without judgement. We’re here to help you better understand what’s happening to you, know where to find help when you need it and learn how to develop your well-being on a daily basis.
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