Youthwatch Darlington volunteer shares their own story about body image

Body image has been voted as the biggest concern that can affect mental wellbeing, by young people in Darlington. Why do you think this is?

"I think it's because it's affecting everyone in one way or another, a lot of things do have a contributing factor. From bullying to being influenced by social media, reasons can be so different but can lead to the same thing, which is affecting our mental health through body image.

I think it's also because it's being talked about a bit more, which is good because it **needs** to be spoken about. I don't believe it's being spoken about enough though, to be honest."

Can you tell us a personal experience related to body image?

"In late 2015-early 2016, I kept telling my mother that I was just not having any periods, my mother kept putting it off but I kept bringing it up until she felt she had no choice but to bring me to the GP surgery.

I was notified that I would need to be scanned and have my bloods taken, which I did in the space of a few appointments.

After these appointments, I was told that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, as it's also called.

For anyone that does not know, PCOS is a condition that can make you hairy, it can make you gain an excessive amount of weight (and it can be even harder to lose it) and it can be very difficult to become pregnant, among a few other things."

"The other thing was back in college, funnily enough. I participated in Performing Arts, and got to Level 3 Performing Arts: Musical Theatre.

At around Christmas, it became obviously clear that looks were a heavy part in picking out who should play what, and looks were talked about a lot too. During their auditioning for Cinderella, I was not picked for anything, and everyone else who didn't get picked for the main parts were immediately the chorus.

Summer was the exact same, even though that was a mashup of different musicals, I wasn't really chosen for anything. Then it hit me:

I remember being told that if two people were auditioning for a specific part, then the one who may be the better singer may not get any parts, because the other person 'fitted' the role better. From hair colour to height, and even your body type. So while I have "worked hard" as I was told, I had this nagging feeling that the reason why I wasn't picked for main parts was because of my looks, sadly.

Both experiences made me feel horrible and 'imperfect'. In fact, my PCOS still makes me feel horrible, as that is an ongoing experience, its an incurable thing so I feel like I have to suffer with something every day that I feel shouldnt exist."

During the pandemic has there been any changes to the way you feel about body image?

"Yes, massive changes, and somehow not for the better. I am eating a lot more which of course doesn't help my weight loss (which I am struggling to do in the first place), and while I feel more at peace with my body now because I am hardly going out, there is this constant fear that it's all gonna go to waste."

Do you have any ideas that might help other young people cope with body image anxiety?

"Talking to others, problems shared are problems halved, and just try to do things that make you happy. If it's being affected by social media, take some time off social media.

I also suggest to go for walks in quiet places, or even chilling to some of your favourite songs. If something you particularly enjoy does frustrate you, then stop what you are doing and give yourself a few minutes.

What I found that really helps, was joining a venting group, a group where you can vent about anything and everything, from body image to real life problems. I know it has helped me a lot and I do want others to know that it is an option if they are in a pickle.

Oh! And lastly! Check sites like YoungMinds and use shout if you need to! Those can really help, and may even point you in the right direction."