2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission

Youth Body Confidence and Wellbeing Education Pack

Submitted by: NaturismRE Pty Ltd
Prepared by: Vincent Marty, Founder
Sydney, Australia
www.NaturismRE.com

Introduction

NaturismRE submits this proposal seeking Commonwealth support to develop and implement a Youth Body Confidence and Wellbeing Education Pack for use in schools and youth programs across Australia. The program addresses rising national concerns about body image distress, appearance-based stigma and their documented impact on mental health, wellbeing, school engagement and social participation.

Body image concerns are a leading contributor to youth anxiety, reduced self-worth and social withdrawal. These challenges undermine academic success, increase vulnerability to bullying and create long-term mental health risks. A structured, evidence-based education resource can provide practical tools for resilience, healthy self-perception and emotional wellbeing.

This combined document contains the full submission and two supporting documents:
Attachment 1. Education Framework
Attachment 2. Evidence Brief on Body Image and Youth Mental Health

National context and need

Across Australia, young people are increasingly exposed to unrealistic digital imagery, comparison pressure and social expectations that negatively shape self-worth. Research shows that body dissatisfaction contributes to:

anxiety and depressive symptoms
reduced confidence and engagement
emotional withdrawal and avoidance
bullying vulnerability
lower academic participation
decreased involvement in community and physical activity

Schools are central to early intervention, yet wellbeing programs vary significantly across states and often lack structured, practical tools focused specifically on body neutrality, confidence and stigma awareness.

The absence of a consistent, evidence-based wellbeing resource limits national capacity to address body image concerns in a coherent and effective way. A dedicated education pack would help standardise best practice across schools and community organisations.

Proposal

NaturismRE proposes that the Commonwealth Government fund the development and pilot rollout of a Youth Body Confidence and Wellbeing Education Pack. The program would provide teachers, facilitators and youth workers with ready-to-use lessons, activities and resources that support:

body neutrality
confidence and resilience
media literacy
stigma awareness
healthy self-talk
emotional regulation
optional nature-based wellbeing activities

The resource would be appropriate for upper primary and secondary students and designed to align with mental health and wellbeing frameworks used across Australia.

Program design

The education pack will include five core modules.

Module one. Understanding body neutrality

Students learn that bodies vary naturally and that value is not based on appearance.

Module two. Confidence and emotional resilience

Tools for managing negative thoughts, strengthening self-belief and improving emotional coping.

Module three. Stigma awareness and empathy

Activities that help students understand the impact of stigma and promote inclusive behaviour.

Module four. Healthy self-talk and media literacy

Critical analysis of digital imagery, advertising and social media to reduce comparison and unrealistic expectations.

Module five. Optional outdoor wellbeing practices

Simple nature-based activities that support stress reduction and emotional clarity.

Implementation plan

The program will be delivered in three phases.

Phase one. Development of content in collaboration with educators, psychologists and youth specialists. Creation of digital materials and printable resources.

Phase two. Pilot rollout across a sample of schools and youth organisations representing diverse regions and communities. Feedback collected from teachers and students.

Phase three. Evaluation and refinement leading to broader national availability.

Training is not required for teachers; the pack is designed for easy integration into existing wellbeing schedules.

Expected national benefits

Health and wellbeing benefits

Reduced body image distress
Improved confidence and emotional resilience
Stronger coping skills and emotional regulation
Enhanced school engagement
Lower risk of anxiety and depression

Social and community benefits

Improved peer relationships and empathy
Reduced bullying and stigma-driven behaviour
Greater inclusion across diverse communities
Better participation in school and youth programs

Economic and educational benefits

Reduced long-term mental health service demand
Increased student engagement and academic participation
Lower emotional strain on school wellbeing staff
Support for national mental health objectives

Alignment with federal strategies

This initiative supports the objectives of:

the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
the National Strategy for Children and Young People
the National Preventive Health Strategy
the Australian Curriculum’s general capabilities for wellbeing

It strengthens national capacity for early intervention and equips young people with lifelong mental health tools.

Attachment 1

Youth body confidence and wellbeing education framework

Purpose

The Youth Body Confidence and Wellbeing Education Pack provides a structured resource to improve student wellbeing through body neutrality, resilience, stigma awareness and healthy self-perception.

Modules

body neutrality
confidence and resilience
stigma awareness
media literacy
optional nature-based wellbeing activities

Learning outcomes

Students will develop:

healthier self-perception
greater emotional resilience
stronger empathy and social inclusion
improved critical thinking about media
better strategies for managing stress and pressure

Resources included

lesson plans
activity sheets
visual aids
teacher guides
digital versions

No specialised training is required for delivery.

Pilot evaluation

The pilot rollout will include student feedback, teacher usability surveys and wellbeing impact assessment.

Attachment 2

Evidence brief on body image, stigma and youth mental health

Key research findings

Body dissatisfaction is linked to anxiety, depression and reduced self-worth.
Stigma increases vulnerability to bullying, social withdrawal and emotional distress.
Media influence exacerbates unrealistic expectations and comparison pressure.
Youth experiencing body image concern often avoid extracurricular and outdoor activities.
Early intervention improves emotional resilience and long-term wellbeing outcomes.

Relevance to national planning

A structured education resource addresses a significant wellbeing need and supports:

preventive mental health
school wellbeing frameworks
youth development programs
anti-bullying and inclusion strategies

Why the initiative is needed

Australia lacks a consistent, evidence-based education pack focusing specifically on body neutrality, stigma reduction and wellbeing. A national resource fills this gap and supports schools with practical tools.

Conclusion

The Youth Body Confidence and Wellbeing Education Pack offers a low-cost, evidence-driven initiative that strengthens mental health outcomes for young people across Australia. It equips students with essential tools to navigate appearance pressure, social challenges and emotional stress. The program is scalable, impactful and aligned with national priorities in education and mental health.

NaturismRE is ready to collaborate with federal agencies, educators and mental health specialists to deliver this initiative nationally.

Contact

Vincent Marty
Founder, NaturismRE Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia
[email protected]