A new online platform dedicated to addressing the connection between appearance and mental health, has announced the launch of the #PREPÆREDforChange campaign - "a campaign for safer medical aesthetics industry". This patient-led initiative seeks to raise awareness about the urgent need for pre-treatment psychological screening in aesthetic practices, advocating for the protection and support of vulnerable patients while empowering practitioners to deliver safe and ethical care.
Why This Campaign Matters
Mental health challenges are alarmingly prevalent among individuals seeking aesthetic treatments. Research reveals that:
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Over 20% of patients seeking cosmetic procedures have Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). (D Sarwer et al., 2012)
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More than 44% of elective cosmetic surgery patients have a history of diagnosed psychiatric conditions. (Kessler et al., 2005)
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At least 50% are affected by Major Depressive Disorder, and around 32% by Generalized Anxiety Disorder. (Jang et al., 2019)
When left unaddressed, these untreated mental health issues can lead to patient dissatisfaction, heightened distress, and increased suicide risk. For practitioners, failing to screen for underlying psychological conditions can fall short of their duty of care, leading to poor treatment outcomes, reputational damage, and potential legal repercussions. This makes pre-treatment psychological screening not just beneficial, but essential.
The #PREPÆREDforChange campaign underscores the urgent need for standardized mental health screening to safeguard patients and empower practitioners to make informed, ethical decisions.
The Campaign’s Vision
#PREPÆREDforChange advocates for:
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Clear Guidelines for Screening: Establishing clear guidelines that outline key considerations and questions practitioners should ask to identify mental health vulnerabilities, such as BDD, depression, or anxiety, while also assessing overall readiness, healthy motivations, and realistic expectations.
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Patient Education: Raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health's role in cosmetic outcomes. Patients should understand why honest disclosure is essential for their safety and satisfaction. Encouraging them to view seeking mental health support as a proactive, empowering step fosters trust and collaboration, positioning practitioners as partners in their well-being rather than gatekeepers. This approach ensures patients feel supported while maintaining their autonomy.
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Continuity of Care: Ensuring that patients receive continuous support is crucial. Simply turning patients away without offering alternatives can leave them feeling rejected, hopeless, and unsupported, worsening their mental health challenges. Strengthening collaborations between practitioners and mental health professionals is essential to creating seamless support systems for patients. Establishing continuity of care helps build a comprehensive support network that prioritizes patient safety and promotes positive outcomes.
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Industry-Wide Standards: Establishing consistent, ethical protocols is essential to prevent “doctor shopping” by vulnerable patients seeking less responsible providers. Without standardized mental health screening practices, practitioners who prioritize patient safety risk losing clients to those who overlook mental health considerations. This sets a dangerous precedent, allowing patients to undergo procedures from providers who fail to address their well-being. A standardized approach is necessary to ensure consistency across the industry, promote responsible practices, and level the playing field for practitioners who are committed to ethical, patient-focused care.
Join the Movement
PREPÆRETM invites individuals, organizations, and companies to support #PREPÆREDforChange. By signing the campaign pledge, supporters can:
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Advocate for safer, more ethical practices in aesthetic medicine.
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Provide a quote or testimonial to amplify the message of change.
- Help shape the future of mental health safeguards in the industry.
Pledge and support
Organizations that sign the pledge will have their logos featured on the campaign’s website as a symbol of their commitment to patient safety and ethical care.
Even before its official launch, #PREPÆREDforChange has already garnered significant support, including aesthetic treatment providers (The Wimpole Clinics, Medika Clinic), specialist consultancies (EQUALS3, Consultation Catalyst), and mental health service providers (The Body Image Treatment Clinic). The campaign is proud to showcase a growing network of ambassadors, including PREPÆRETM's founder, Brea Cannady, who contribute invaluable personal perspectives to drive the movement forward.
About PREPÆRETM
PREPÆRETM is dedicated to integrating mental health into medical aesthetics. Through accessible, bespoke pre-treatment questionnaires for clinics, PREPÆRE prioritizes patient safeguarding and education, empowering practitioners to uphold their duty of care without adding to their workload.
PREPÆRETM is proud to partner with The Body Image Treatment Clinic, Harley Street, specialists in psychological conditions relating to appearance. Founded by Thomas Midgley (BSc, RD, PGDip, CBT.), the mental health treatment provider enhances PREPÆRE’s solutions by providing a seamless referral pathway for patients requiring further assessment or specialist support.
For Inquiries, Contact:
Brea Cannady
Founder, PREPÆRETM
Email: info@prepaere.com
Website
