The British Skin Foundation (BSF) and ITN Productions have joined hands to create a programme aimed at raising awareness on skin stigma, skin diseases and their impact on mental health.
Entitled ‘More than Skin Deep,’ the programme will have ‘expert’ account on various skin diseases and their impact on mental health. It will also share information provided by the people living with skin related health problems.
“We will look at the connection between skin and mental health issues, how the prevalence of airbrushed and filtered images can skew the perception of real skin and how the recent pandemic may have exacerbated issues people may have about their skin as a result of increased face time online,” the British Skin Foundation said on Tuesday (November 24).
The programme will also highlights the degree of misinformation available on skin and skincare. It will combine interviews with the industry figures, news-style reports, and sponsored editorial profiles from leading organisations and industry innovators.
The event will launch at the two-day British Association of Dermatologists’ Annual Conference scheduled to be held from July 6, 2021 in Birmingham.
Matthew Patey, CEO at British Skin Foundation said: “At the British Skin Foundation our mission is to help find cures and treatments for common conditions like acne and eczema through to potential killers like melanoma skin cancer.
“We’re looking forward to working with the talented ITN Productions team to help amplify our voice and tell the stories of those who are affected by skin disease and those who are fighting to beat it.”
Elizabeth Fisher-Robins, head of ITN Productions, said: “We’re delighted to be producing a programme in partnership with BSF that raises awareness of skin disease and its effects on mental health, the significance of social media and remote working on people’s self-perceptions and the exciting research and developments leading dermatology into the future.”
Skin conditions and diseases come in many different forms and affect around 60 per cent of people in the UK at some point in their lives.
A recent All-Party Parliamentary Group report revealed a worrying lack of mental health support for skin disease which can lead to stress, low self-esteem, depression and even suicide.
