The Need To Label Airbrushed Photo’s Truthfully

Today, MEP Nessa Childers is hosting meeting in Dublin to propose that airbrushed photo’s used by magazines and other media be labelled as such, so that people are aware that they aren’t real.

This idea is a practical approach to a major problem that effects all age groups, not surprising given that Childers worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years before entering politics.

Society’s obsession with it’s physical image has increased as the years roll on; so much so that “selfie” is 2013’s word of the year as determined by the editors of Oxford dictionary.

While an interest in ones physical appearance isn’t unhealthy, obsession isn’t. The cause of eating disorders cannot solely be blamed on famous celebrities and glossy magazines; an eating disorder is a complex disease that is usually rooted in issues around control. A person in the throes of an eating disorder can feel that while other aspects of their life are spinning out of control, their food intake is something they can control.

A picture that has been digitally enhanced. Photo: nextnature.net

Emotional distress, trauma and self-esteem issues can all contribute to the development of an eating disorder. But while the blame can’t be solely blamed on our self-obsessed society, it plays an extremely negative role.

The banishment of fashion magazines showing pristine perfect models wouldn’t banish eating disorders. To believe so is to show a lack of understanding of the disease. But the portrayal of unhealthy body weight by magazine editors and fashion designers alike has made woman worldwide feel inadequate. Young men and women, looking at the media that surrounds them everyday – from billboards to newspapers, TV shows and social media – constantly tells them in a not so subtle way that there abnormal.

A video showing the dramatic changes Photoshop can make went viral. Photo: webpronews.com

A size zero accompanied by a blemish-free complexion, lustrous hair, cutting-edge outfits makes many feel as is they are failing because their image doesn’t match up to the one portrayed. The funny thing is, neither does the real image of the model in the photo. The prominence of airbrushing has increased in the last decade, as if it wasn’t already traumatizing enough to compare yourself to the most beautiful stars and starlets in Hollywood, we’re now forced to do so when they have been computer enhanced to a level beyond perfection.

The rise of the selfie alone shows what weight we put in a person physical attributes. Young teenagers, taking cue from a host of celebrities, take photographs of themselves with enough make-up, hair extensions and fake eyelashes to make a drag queen blush. But for many, that still isn’t sufficient, they’ll use Instagram filters to make their photos flawless. The process is completed when photos are uploaded to social media – where there self-worth is determined by the amount of “likes” a photo gets.

The horror that this message is sending – that acceptance and appreciation by your peers is determined first and foremost on your physical appearance?

While eating disorders and body issues are not solved by a simple, magic solution – a simple act of labeling unreal images for what they are can go a long way to helping us all stop comparing ourselves unfairly.

If you’re concerned about some of the issues raised in this article, the following supports are available:

BodyWhys: The Eating Disorder Association of Ireland

ReachOut.com: An dedicated online youth mental health service 

 

Demand Better Mental Health Services: Sign The Petition

If you passed by the Dáil today, you would have seen steel barriers, an army of Guards and protesters with signs and flags, showing the government how frustrated they are with the state of our country.

Photo source: thestar.ie

As a nation, we are suffering financially and have been for some time. While there is hope that we’re nearing the end of the austerity tunnel, finances aren’t the only issue dominating Irish society.

Mental Health Reform are lobbying the government to improve mental health services in Ireland – a service we desperately need. If you need convincing, read this emotional account of a Dublin woman who’s teenage son killed himself.

While many of us feel like a powerless piece in the political system, this petition is a way to flex your democratic rights and demand better from our government. The “Do What Works for Mental Health” petition has already attracted over 10,500 signatories.

Photo source: helpingpsychology.com

Our suicide rate among young people is the 4th highest in the EU. In 2010 alone, nearly 500 people took their own lives. Investment and support in suicide prevention and mental health resources is needed now.  Not in the next budget or a promise for the future. Do your bit and sign the petition here.

International Conference on Well-Being

As regular readers are already aware, I’m an Youth Ambassador for ReachOut,com, a fantastic initiative from charity Inspire which helps young people deal with tough times.

Photo Source: reachout.com

Mental health well-being is so important to each of us and at the moment in Ireland, we’re fighting a tidal wave against mental health stigma and high rates of suicide. If you’re interested in the area of mental health, technology, suicide prevention, the volunteer sector and overall well-being, you should not miss this conference.

Taking place in the Lighthouse Cinema on Wednesday September 25 and The Marker Hotel on Thursday 26, the aim of the conference is to encourage an international discussion about mental health and well-being and how the internet can be used as a force of good to empower us all in this area. The conference will focus on practical solutions, cross-center learning and future directions in this area.

More details are available here: http://ie.reachout.com/about/technology-for-well-being-conference/

Irish Times under pressure over Abortion article

The Editor of the Irish Times, Kevin O’Sullivan, has been publicly called on to explain how and why the newspaper published a front page story with a detailed account about a women’s abortion.

Photo source: brownbreadmixtape.com

On August 23, the paper ran the story which claimed that a pregnant woman with twins had a termination at Holles Street Hospital to save her life. The newspaper initially defended the article saying it was in the public interest because the abortion was the first to take place under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy act – however, that legislation is not yet active.

In the days after the publication, it was reveled that the abortion did not take place under the circumstances the paper said it did. Dublin Solicitor and Media Commentator Simon McGarr has said that the apology and correction that was published on an inside page in the newspaper last Saturday was “cryptic”. McGarr said given that the original story was on the front page, the apology and correction should’ve been given more prominence “in on of the first four pages of the newspaper”.

He also said “It is not incumbent on the newspaper to explain how this happened” and that the publication of such detail about a patient – even if it had been the first abortion carried out under the new legislation – was not in the interest of the public.

A spokesperson for “The Irish Times” Editor, Kevin O’Sullivan said he would be making no further comment beyond the correction and apology published in the paper last Saturday.