“Face Equality Week is a time to celebrate visible difference, challenge people’s perceptions and raise awareness about the prejudice experienced by too many people with scars, marks and conditions that make them look different,” said Natalie Don MSP (SNP – Renfrewshire North and West).
Face Equality Week, organised by the charity Changing Faces, happens every year during May, this year it runs between the 16 - 20 May.
The theme for Face Equality Week 2022 is ‘staring’. Changing Faces will be using campaigners and ambassadors during Face Equality Week to explain to the public that hostile behaviours, like staring, can have a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people with a visible difference or disfigurement. During Face Equality Week this charity be sharing their latest research, #StopTheStare campaign film and social media messages to explain why staring needs to stop, advice on how to stop staring before it happens and tips on what to do if you catch yourself staring. For those impacted by staring, importantly, Changing Faces want them to know they aren’t alone, and there is support and advice available
Research carried out for Changing Faces by Savanta ComRes, found that people with visible differences have experienced:
• An increase in hostile behaviour when they go out in public, with a rise from a third (34%) in 2019, to over two in five (43%) in 2021.
• A negative impact on mental health and wellbeing, with half of respondents (51%) reporting they have felt self-conscious or embarrassed as a result of their visible difference.
• Being stared at, when people with a visible difference do go out, three in ten (28%) report this happens to them. #StopTheStare explains the impact of staring and shares great advice to help stop staring before it happens.
Natalie Don MSP added;
“I met with Changing Faces last week to discuss their campaign and their work around face equality.
“This is an important campaign by Changing Faces, and one that I hope everyone will support.
Natalie Don MSP
“Some people with a visible difference struggle to come to terms with their appearance or go through periods of finding it hard to cope. We should all learn from this campaign week the impact our actions may have on others.
“If you or a loved one are struggling with the emotional impact of a visible difference then please seek support. Changing Faces offer a confidential support and information line which can be accessed on 0300 012 0275 or online.”
NOTES:
Further information is available from:
https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/services-support/support-information-line/
Support is also available from Changing Faces Helpline on 0300 012 0275