Operation Beautiful. It seems simple enough by the two words it implies, however it is more complicated to many students of all ages in the sense that it’s not always that simple.

Dove researchers did a study on Canadian girls and women’s self-esteem that gave shocking results. Around 47 per cent of females between the ages of 10 and 17 avoid physical activities because of the way they feel about themselves. Three per cent of them are actually comfortable with calling themselves beautiful.

There is where Operation Beautiful comes in, a part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Lethbridge College held this event last year with a phenomenal outcome, with many activities that helped young women and even men learn to love the way they look despite what others might think.

Included with this campaign is the secret wall that is held in The Cave, where students can post their thoughts or opinions on the wall with post-it notes. This was a hit with the students last year when it was the post a secret event, which encourages students to say what they want without any judgement.

Student wellness coordinator, Brittney Kiefer, says that the students were probably most willing to do the events because of the time Operation Beautiful was held. “Students last year were greatly impacted by this campaign, especially due to the time period this campaign takes place. Many students are feeling the stress of a new semester and/or perhaps are aware that it is Eating Disorder Awareness Week too.”

Operation Beautiful is a campaign that boosts self-esteem and respect by spreading messages that are both encouraging and positive. Whether you read these post-it notes on the bathroom mirror, on a locker or even on a car window, that note could spread joy to someone’s life when they need it the most or make them feel beautiful on those days where they don’t.

Kiefer also makes a comment on how this campaign can make a difference despite on what we see normally in the media. “Although a post-it note message on a mirror or a window of the school seems quite small and insignificant, the information provided are messages we should be bombarded with instead of self-loathing negative messages that are found in our media from day to day.”