Evidence brief on stigma, mental health impacts and community wellbeing

Prepared by NaturismRE Pty Ltd
Submitted by: Vincent Marty, Founder

Einführung

This evidence brief summarises current research on stigma, its mental health effects and its influence on public participation in community life and outdoor wellbeing activities. Stigma related to body image and perceived social norms contributes to emotional distress, reduced self-esteem and avoidance behaviours that impact health, productivity and social cohesion.

The statewide stigma study proposed by NaturismRE will build on existing evidence by producing NSW-specific data needed for informed policymaking, program design and long-term monitoring.

Stigma and mental health

Research demonstrates consistent links between stigma and a range of mental health outcomes. These include:

anxiety and social anxiety
depressive symptoms
reduced self-esteem
internalised negative beliefs
disengagement from support networks
increased emotional withdrawal

Stigma also contributes to chronic stress, which affects physical health through elevated cortisol, fatigue, sleep disruption and lower resilience. These effects are particularly significant in young people, where body image concerns are associated with increased risk of depression and self-harm.

Stigma and behavioural avoidance

Stigma often leads to avoidance of social settings, recreational environments and public outdoor spaces. This avoidance reduces physical activity, limits engagement with healthy nature-based activities and contributes to isolation.

Examples of avoidance patterns include:

not attending community events
avoiding beaches or parks
reduced participation in sports or outdoor recreation
hesitation to seek help or support
avoiding new social environments

These behaviours reduce opportunities for wellness, social cohesion and healthy social development.

Stigma and youth wellbeing

Body-related stigma is frequently reported in adolescents and young adults. Studies show that:

body dissatisfaction is a major predictor of reduced self-worth
stigma increases vulnerability to bullying and social exclusion
fear of judgment limits participation in school, sport and outdoor programs
stigma contributes to long-term mental health challenges emerging in early adulthood

Given the scale of youth body image concerns, a statewide evidence base is essential.

Stigma and community participation

Stigma affects more than individuals. It can influence how communities use public spaces, participate in local programs and engage with parks, beaches and nature reserves. When stigma reduces confidence or creates fear of judgment, participation in outdoor wellbeing activities declines.

This has broader social effects:

lower engagement in community events
weaker social networks
underuse of public recreational spaces
reduced community resilience
lower perceived belonging and inclusion

Stigma therefore has both individual and community-level costs.

Economic impacts of stigma

Mental health conditions linked to stigma contribute to:

increased pressure on public health services
higher use of counselling and support programs
reduced productivity
greater absenteeism
long-term burden on mental health care resources

Preventive strategies that address stigma offer potential cost savings by reducing demand on health systems and improving workforce wellbeing.

Evidence supporting nature-based wellbeing

International research shows that nature immersion supports:

stress reduction
emotional balance
improved mood
reduced rumination
stronger resilience and confidence

However, stigma and body-related anxiety can limit a person’s willingness to participate in nature-based activities. Reducing stigma is therefore important for increasing engagement in outdoor wellbeing environments.

Why NSW needs a stigma study

Current NSW programs addressing mental health and resilience do not have a standardised assessment tool for identifying and measuring stigma. Without this evidence, it is difficult to:

target interventions
evaluate program success
support vulnerable groups
design inclusive community environments
improve participation in outdoor wellbeing activities
track changes over time

A statewide stigma study will provide:

a NSW-specific stigma index
evidence for schools, health agencies and community organisations
guidance for preventive health programs
data for policymaking and planning

Schlussfolgerung

Body-related stigma has measurable impacts on mental health, community participation and economic productivity. Evidence shows that stigma contributes to anxiety, depression, avoidance behaviour and reduced engagement with healthy outdoor activities. A statewide research project using the Standardised Stigma Measure will equip NSW with the data needed to design effective, inclusive programs that strengthen community wellbeing and support long-term mental health.

NaturismRE is prepared to collaborate with research institutions and government partners to support this initiative.