Gesundes Körperbild und Gesetz zur psychischen Gesundheit

Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/Mental_Health_Act


Proposed by Vincent Marty, Founder – NaturismRE
Email: [email protected] | M: 0494 164 815 | www.naturismre.com

Präambel:

Australia is facing a crisis in youth mental health, fuelled by unrealistic body standards, social media distortion, and cultural shame around natural bodies. Body dissatisfaction is one of the leading risk factors for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and low self-worth — especially in young people.

This petition calls for the introduction and passage of the Healthy Body Image and Mental Health Act — a groundbreaking framework that combines education, media reform, mental health support, and inclusive philosophies such as naturism to promote body acceptance and psychological well-being.

Naturism, when practised respectfully and lawfully, offers a powerful alternative to modern body-shaming culture. It embraces body diversity, fosters acceptance, and removes the harmful sexualisation of the human form. Its inclusion in this Act is not about promoting nudity in schools — it is about promoting healthy, honest conversations about bodies, identity, and mental health.

Key Goals of the Act:

  • Introduce body-positive education across all schools, including media literacy, body diversity, and self-care tools.

  • Offer optional modules on naturism and other nature-connected philosophies that promote body acceptance through non-sexual body normalisation.

  • Establish national media standards requiring transparency about digital alterations and rejecting harmful body ideals.

  • Create a national Body Image Awareness Week to challenge beauty myths and support community engagement.

  • Fund mental health programs for youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, victims of body-shaming, and those facing appearance-based discrimination.

  • Support research into alternative mental health models, including naturist philosophy, mindfulness, and peer-based healing.

  • Form an advisory council to guide public policy on body image and mental health, with seats for body diversity and naturism advocates.

  • Require annual reporting on media compliance, education uptake, and progress in body satisfaction outcomes.

Why Naturism Matters:

Naturism is a lifestyle rooted in self-respect, environmental connection, and non-sexual body acceptance. Its philosophy offers a practical, peaceful antidote to shame-based culture. In societies where naturism is accepted, body-related anxiety is significantly lower, and young people grow up with a healthier, more balanced relationship with their bodies.

By integrating naturist education (optionally and respectfully) into this Act, we empower people to see their bodies as normal, diverse, and nothing to be ashamed of — regardless of shape, size, gender, or ability.

Wir rufen auf:

  • The Australian Government to pass the Healthy Body Image and Mental Health Act.

  • Education departments and curriculum bodies to include age-appropriate body diversity education and lawful naturist philosophy.

  • Media regulators to hold advertisers accountable for harmful body depictions.

  • Mental health bodies to support body-positive outreach, research, and naturist inclusion.

  • The public to support a more honest, inclusive, and mentally healthy Australia — one where everyone feels seen, valued, and accepted.

Sign this petition to support body freedom, mental health, and a more compassionate society.
Support the Healthy Body Image and Mental Health Act.

Below is a representation how the Bill look like once passed:

TEIL 1 - VORLÄUFIG

1. Short Title
This Act may be cited as the Healthy Body Image and Mental Health Act.

2. Commencement
This Act shall commence on a date to be proclaimed.

3. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to:
(a) Promote positive body image and mental well-being through public education and support programs;
(b) Counteract unrealistic and harmful media portrayals of the human body;
(c) Encourage respect for natural body diversity and reduce body-related anxiety, depression, and eating disorders;
(d) Support youth and vulnerable populations with resources, training, and inclusive policies.

4. Definitions

  • Body image refers to a person’s perception, thoughts, and feelings about their own body appearance.

  • Mental health literacy means understanding mental health conditions and how to maintain psychological well-being.

  • Body diversity recognises the natural variation in human bodies across size, shape, age, ability, and other characteristics.

  • Media literacy means the ability to critically assess and understand media content, particularly in relation to body representation.

PART 2 – EDUCATION AND PREVENTION

5. School Curriculum and Early Intervention
(1) National and state curricula shall incorporate age-appropriate content on:
(a) Body diversity and acceptance;
(b) The impact of media and social platforms on self-image;
(c) Mental health awareness and self-care practices.
(2) Programs will include optional content from cultural and lifestyle movements such as naturism that promote body confidence and acceptance through non-sexual body-normalisation philosophies.

6. Media and Advertising Regulation
(1) The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) shall develop stronger standards for body representation in public advertising and broadcast media.
(2) Advertising must avoid promoting unhealthy or unattainable body ideals, and must disclose digital body alterations where applicable.

7. Body Image Awareness Week
(1) An annual national awareness week will be held to promote body confidence, challenge beauty stereotypes, and provide mental health resources.
(2) This initiative will involve schools, universities, workplaces, media organisations, and community groups.

PART 3 – MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND FUNDING

8. Community-Based Mental Health Support
(1) Grants shall be made available to mental health organisations, youth programs, and body-positive initiatives to expand counselling and outreach.
(2) Special attention shall be given to programs supporting:

  • Adolescents and young adults;

  • LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse individuals;

  • Victims of body shaming or appearance-based bullying;

  • People living with disabilities and chronic conditions.

9. Body Image and Mental Health Research Fund
(1) A national fund will support interdisciplinary research into:

  • The mental health effects of body-based discrimination;

  • Social media’s role in shaping self-perception;

  • Alternative approaches to body acceptance, including naturist philosophy, mindfulness, and peer support models.

PART 4 – MONITORING, COMPLIANCE, AND REVIEW

10. Annual Progress Reporting
(1) The Department of Health and Aged Care shall submit a report to Parliament annually detailing:

  • Improvements in youth body satisfaction and mental well-being;

  • Media compliance with body representation guidelines;

  • Public engagement with education programs.

11. Advisory Council on Body Image and Mental Health
(1) A multi-disciplinary council shall be established including:

  • Psychologists and mental health professionals;

  • Youth representatives;

  • Educators and media specialists;

  • Body diversity and naturism advocates.
    (2) The council shall guide program development and policy refinement.

EXPLANATORY NOTES (Non-legislative)
The Healthy Body Image and Mental Health Act is a whole-of-society response to growing concerns around body dissatisfaction and mental health issues in Australia. It encourages education, media reform, community support, and research to address root causes. By integrating philosophies that embrace natural body diversity, such as naturism, the Act fosters long-term cultural change and resilience in future generations.