#
forChange
A Campaign for Mental Health Safeguards for Patients in Aesthetic Care
The #PREPÆREDforChange campaign is a global, patient-led call to action for the aesthetics industry to integrate mental health considerations into standard practice. With no safeguards currently in place—except in Australia—we aim to ensure every patient’s psychological well-being is prioritised before undergoing cosmetic treatments.
This campaign gives patients a voice, advocating for pre-treatment psychological screening to become the norm. #PREPÆREDforChange invites practitioners, clinics, and patients to join a movement for safer, more compassionate care. Together, we’re championing mental health assessments, informed decision-making, and an aesthetics industry that truly values well-being.
Campaign Overview
In the world of medical aesthetics, patient safety must extend beyond physical health to include mental well-being. Australia set a precedent in July 2023 by implementing robust measures to safeguard the psychological health of cosmetic procedure patients. These include mandatory psychological assessments, cooling-off periods, and pathways for referring at-risk individuals to mental health professionals.
Clinics should be required to evaluate patients’ psychological readiness for treatment. This includes exploring their motivations, setting realistic expectations, ruling out conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and ensuring they can give informed consent. Key safeguards, such as mandatory cooling-off periods and clear referral pathways for at-risk patients, are vital. These measures offer a balanced, patient-focused approach that prioritises safety and ethical standards without creating unnecessary barriers or burdens. By adopting such practices, the aesthetics industry can foster a culture of care that protects both patients and practitioners.
The Issue
Mental Health Challenges in Aesthetic Patients
The prevalence of mental health conditions among patients seeking cosmetic procedures is alarmingly high, indicating a significant public health concern. Statistics Highlighting the Scope:
Over
of individuals seeking cosmetic procedures suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
(D Sarwer et al., 2012)
More than
of patients undergoing elective plastic surgery have a history of diagnosed psychiatric disorders.
(Kessler et al., 2005)
At least
of patients are affected by Major Depressive Disorder...
(Jang et al., 2019)
...and around
are affected by Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
(Jang et al., 2019)
The Implications
... for patients
Patients with BDD often face significant dissatisfaction post-surgery due to distorted self-perception and unrealistic expectations. Studies show over 98% of BDD patients do not benefit and remain dissatisfied with cosmetic procedures (Veale et al., 1996), and only 1% report satisfaction (Phillips et al., 2001).
Instead of alleviating distress, aesthetic treatments tend to increase preoccupation with existing perceived flaws or shift the sufferer's focus to new ones. BDD is also associated with severe distress, which often worsens after elective procedures: 4 out of 5 sufferers experience suicidal thoughts, and 1 in 4 attempt suicide (Phillips, 2007).
Mental health also plays a vital role in recovery. Patients with positive mental health are 27 times more likely to recover well post-surgery compared to those with poor mental health (Iasiello et al., 2019)
... for practitioners
Practitioners have an ethical responsibility to ensure patient well-being. Failing to recognise underlying mental health conditions can result in poor treatment outcomes, damaged reputation, and legal risks.
Legal precedents indicate that a BDD diagnosis can challenge a patient’s capacity for informed consent (Sweis et al., 2017). BDD patients, who are likely to be dissatisfied with surgical results, are more inclined to file lawsuits or even act out violently.
2% of plastic surgeons have been physically threatened by BDD patients, while 10% have received threats of violence or legal action (Sweis et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2016). Notably, 40% of surgeons have faced threats from such patients (Ziglinas et al., 2014), and three surgeons have been murdered by patients suffering from BDD since 1991 (Sweis et al., 2017).
The Need for Standardised Pre-Treatment Mental Health Screening Guidelines
The issues with the status quo:
I.
Practitioners Are Not Mental Health Professionals
Aesthetic practitioners excel in delivering exceptional treatments, but they aren’t trained to identify or manage complex psychological issues. Mental health screening requires specialised expertise to identify conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), depression, or anxiety—conditions that often present subtly.
II.
Time Constraints and Scope of Practice
Expecting practitioners to screen for mental health conditions during consultations is impractical. The demands of explaining procedures, and ensuring physical safety leave little time for in-depth psychological evaluation. Even trained mental health professionals require dedicated time and tools to uncover these issues, making it unrealistic for practitioners to rely on brief consultations to address this critical area.
III.
The Limits of Intuition
Patient wellbeing should not be guesswork. While experienced practitioners may develop a “sixth sense” over time, there’s no standardised process to validate these instincts, leaving room for error—even for the most seasoned professionals. Studies show that:
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Without proper tools, 84% of patients with BDD go undetected (Higgins et al., 2017).
-
Intuition alone has a sensitivity of just 4.7% in identifying BDD (Joseph et al., 2016).
IV.
Challenges of Navigating Mental Health Discussions
Patients seeking cosmetic procedures often believe treatment will resolve their distress, making them less likely to disclose psychological concerns. For practitioners, initiating these conversations can risk damaging the practitioner-patient relationship. Tools that facilitate these conversations reduce the emotional burden on practitioners while ensuring patients receive appropriate care.
V.
Ensuring Continuity of Care
Turning away patients without providing alternatives is not a solution—it leaves vulnerable individuals feeling rejected, hopeless, and unsupported, potentially exacerbating their mental health issues. Instead, patients should be guided toward psychological support or appropriate interventions. This continuity of care not only benefits patients but also demonstrates the practitioner’s commitment to their well-being and is key to meeting their duty of care.
VI.
The Need for Standardisation
Without a standardised approach to mental health screening, responsible practitioners who decline treatment risk losing patients to less responsible providers. This creates a dangerous precedent where vulnerable patients receive procedures from those who overlook their mental health needs. A standardised system is needed to ensure consistency across the industry, encouraging responsible practices while levelling the playing field for practitioners who prioritise ethical care.
The Suggested Solution:
A Multifaceted Approach
This campaign advocates for a comprehensive solution to address the mental health challenges in medical aesthetics, focusing on two key aspects:
1. Equipping Practitioners with Guidelines
Practitioners need reliable, research-backed guidelines to identify mental health vulnerabilities like BDD or anxiety in a structured, efficient, and standardised way, while allowing for flexibility depending on context.
Alongside tools, practitioners must have access to education on the psychological complexities of patients seeking cosmetic treatments, ensuring they feel confident and capable of navigating sensitive conversations.
This approach empowers practitioners to meet their duty of care without overstepping their expertise or adding undue burden to their consultations.
2. Educating and Empowering Patients
A vital part of the solution is reducing stigma and raising awareness among patients about the role of mental health in cosmetic outcomes. Patients must understand why honest disclosure is critical for their safety and satisfaction.
Patients should be encouraged to see seeking mental health support as a proactive, empowering step rather than a rejection of their needs.
Striking the right balance is essential—safeguarding patients without infringing on their autonomy. Patients should feel that practitioners are partners in their well-being, not gatekeepers.
Goals & Benefits
Pre-treatment mental health screening isn’t just about following ethical guidelines—it’s about creating a safer, more supportive environment for everyone involved. From protecting vulnerable patients to empowering practitioners and setting a new standard for the aesthetics industry, these measures ensure cosmetic treatments prioritise well-being above all else.
Protect Patients
Safeguard vulnerable individuals by addressing mental health needs before treatment. Patients gain the support and clarity to make informed, well-rounded decisions.
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Vulnerable patients are directed to appropriate mental health resources, helping them address underlying issues instead of masking them with cosmetic procedures.
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Patients develop a clearer understanding of the risks, benefits, and implications of treatment, empowering them to make safe, thoughtful choices.
Empower Practitioners
Equip aesthetic professionals with reliable, standardized tools to screen for mental health issues, enhancing confidence and reducing legal risks.
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Focus on Expertise: Practitioners can concentrate on delivering exceptional treatments while ensuring patients are psychologically ready.
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Objective and Reliable: Screening tools remove guesswork, identifying psychological issues consistently and accurately.
Elevate Industry Standards
Establish a new benchmark for ethical, patient-first care, fostering trust and professionalism across the aesthetics industry.
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Standardized screening protocols ensure all practitioners follow the same high standards, minimizing the risk of patients “shopping around” for less responsible providers.
Foster Collaboration
Strengthen partnerships between aesthetic practitioners and mental health professionals, ensuring patients receive seamless support at every stage of their journey.
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Improved collaboration creates a safety net for vulnerable patients, ensuring both mental health and aesthetic outcomes are prioritized.
ARE YOU
#
forChange
?
Be part of the movement to make pre-treatment mental health screening a standard procedure in the aesthetics industry. Whether you’re an aesthetics practitioner, a patient, a mental health professional, or a member of public, your support can help drive meaningful change.
Become an Ambassador
Your Story Can Make a Difference!
Have you faced appearance-related struggles like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), eating disorders, or other mental health challenges? Have you undergone or thought of undergoing any aesthetics treatments and appreciate the importance of aligning them with mental well-being?
Your voice is powerful. By sharing your journey, you can inspire change, raise awareness, and help create a safer, more compassionate approach to aesthetic treatments.
What Does Being an Ambassador Mean?
Our ambassadors are at the heart of this campaign. You’ll:
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Raise Awareness: Share your unique story to shed light on the connection between mental health and cosmetic procedures.
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Inspire Action: Be a voice for change, encouraging patients, practitioners, and the industry to prioritise mental health in aesthetic care.
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Spread the Message: Represent the campaign through social media, events, or interviews, helping us reach more people who need to hear this.
Why Join Us?
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Make an Impact: Your experiences could change lives by showing others they’re not alone and highlighting the importance of patient-first care.
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Empower Others: Help patients and practitioners understand how mental health and aesthetics intersect—and why it matters.
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Be Part of a Movement: Join a passionate community dedicated to raising industry standards and fostering collaboration between aesthetics and mental health professionals.