Written by: Pansiluni Hasanjana Weerawansa

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Lord Buddha once said, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” It leaves us pondering over the concept of self-esteem. Being a significant factor that influences our life, it acts as a cornerstone upon which our emotional well-being is built. 

A large research review conducted by psychologists at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Bern suggests that high self-esteem can have a positive influence in many areas of people’s lives (UC Davis). Similarly, understanding the essence of self-esteem, its impact on mental health, and effective strategies for nurturing and preserving it is crucial for leading a fulfilling life. 

In essence, self-esteem is about giving respect and value to yourself. The American Psychological Association defines self-esteem as “the degree to which the qualities and characteristics contained in one’s self-concept are perceived to be positive.” 

First and foremost, it is vital to differentiate between the healthy and the unhealthy viewpoints of self-esteem. Whilst healthy self-esteem involves a balanced and realistic view of our strengths and weaknesses, unhealthy self-esteem often involves distorted perceptions, harsh self-criticism, and underestimating and devaluing oneself.  

Let’s dive into the amazing benefits of self-esteem. 

Psychological Resilience: Individuals with high self-esteem are better equipped to handle life’s challenges and setbacks. They have a resilient mindset, enabling them to bounce back from failures and setbacks more effectively as opposed to those who have low levels of self-esteem. Given that failures and setbacks are more common than we think it is crucial that we maintain a good level of self-esteem to help ourselves.  

Emotional Stability: Healthy self-esteem fosters emotional stability, reducing susceptibility to stress, anxiety, and depression. When we feel confident in ourselves, we’re better able to regulate our emotions and cope with life’s ups and downs. 

Healthy Relationships: The profound impact of self-esteem on relationships cannot be overstated. Individuals endowed with a robust sense of self-worth tend to navigate relationships with grace and authenticity. Rooted in a deep-seated appreciation of their own value, they are less inclined to seek external validation or approval. Instead, they approach relationships from a place of confidence and autonomy, nurturing an environment conducive to mutual respect and understanding.  

Pursuit of Goals: The indomitable spirit of individuals fortified with high self-esteem propels them toward the pursuit of lofty aspirations and audacious dreams. Endowed with an unwavering belief in their abilities, they embark upon the journey of self-actualization with zeal and determination.  

On the other hand, there are myriads of ways to boost one’s self esteem.  

Practising Self Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during times of difficulty or failure. We can begin by replacing our self-criticism with self-compassion in times of failure coming into the understanding that mistakes are bound to happen. 

Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals that align with your abilities and interests. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, celebrating each accomplishment along the way. 

Challenge Negative Thoughts: Become aware of negative self-talk and challenge irrational beliefs about yourself. Replace negative thoughts with more balanced and constructive ones. Instead of saying “I failed this test, so it means I am incapable and a failure” replace it with “I experienced a setback, and I will use this setback to improve myself and grow.”  

Practice Self-Care: Prioritise self-care activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul. Healthy diets, exercise, adequate rest, engaging in activities that boost your happiness can be useful.  

Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging individuals who uplift and validate you. Reduce and withdraw from exposing yourself to toxic friendships and relationships that harm your self-confidence and make you doubt yourself.  

By understanding the importance of self-esteem and implementing strategies to boost and maintain it, we can cultivate a more positive and fulfilling sense of self. Remember, building self-esteem is a journey, not a destination, and it requires patience, practice, and self-compassion. 

Written by: Thrishala Gunathunga 

Have you seen how sometimes adults struggle to recognize signs of mental health challenges related to children and adolescents? 

There are a few reasons for this, like not having enough knowledge about what a “mental health issue” is. Sometimes, we even normalize problematic behaviours, thinking they’re just a part of growing up. And let’s not forget the hesitation to talk openly about mental health, especially when it involves adolescents. 

But the truth is, early intervention can help children develop effective coping skills and improve their overall quality of life. So, in this article, we will explore physical, behavioural and emotional signs of mental health challenges in children and adolescents. 

Physical Signs: 

• Frequent complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, or body pain without a clear medical cause can be a window to how they are expressing the emotional discomfort, or it can be somatic symptoms associated with depression or anxiety. 
• Changes in sleeping patterns, such as excessive sleepiness in the daytime or trouble sleeping at night, can indicate symptoms associated with anxiety, mood disorders, or depression. 
• Sudden weight changes, such as losing weight due to poor appetite or gaining weight due to excessive snacking, can indicate symptoms associated with depression, eating disorders, or other mental health issues. 

Behavioural Signs: 

• Longer periods of sadness, being irritable most of the time, and noticeable mood changes can be symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. 
• Withdrawing from friends, and family, and not being interested in the activities they once used to enjoy can be symptoms of depression, social anxiety, childhood trauma, or other mental health-related issues. 
• Difficulty maintaining friendships at school or having little social interactions than developmentally appropriate can be symptoms of communication difficulties, social anxiety, childhood trauma, or bullying. 
• Frequent conflicts with parents, teachers, and friends can be symptoms of emotion regulation difficulties or stress. 
• Excessive worry about academics, social relationships, and even about simple day-to-day activities to the point that it interferes with normal functioning can be a symptom of anxiety or stress. 
• Difficulty concentrating on studies and having a significant decline in cognitive performance (especially related to language) can be symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, learning disability, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. 

Emotional Signs: 

• Intense feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and sadness can be symptoms of depression, low self-esteem, and childhood trauma. 
• Unusual fear with anxiety attacks to the point that it interrupts daily functioning can be a symptom of anxiety disorder, childhood trauma, and bullying. 
• Regular anger outbursts and unmanageable aggressive behaviour might be signs of conduct disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, or other emotional distress. 
• Being overly sensitive to criticism can be a symptom of anxiety, low self-esteem, socialization issues, or other emotional distress. 
• Having suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviours can be a symptom of intense emotional distress. Such signs should be taken seriously, and it is important to seek immediate professional help. 

In conclusion, recognising the signs of mental health challenges among children and adolescents is essential in the long run. So, what can you do about it? 

• You should first let the children and adolescents know you are there for them. 
• Create a safe environment that empowers and comforts them, which will create the basis for them to talk to you about anything. 
• Encouraging the pursuit of creative outlets, such as drawing, writing, music, or painting, is also a great way to express and cope with difficult emotions. 
• Raising awareness about the importance of a good lifestyle with a balanced diet, good sleeping routines, and physical exercise also works! 

However, if you feel your child is experiencing mental health challenges, speak with a mental health professional who specialises in working with children. This is because only mental health professionals can make an appropriate diagnosis and the necessary recommendations. 

And keep in mind that it is okay to look out for the above signs. But don’t jump to conclusions on your own. After all, one size does not fit all. What we can do is be compassionate and provide a safe space for children and adolescents to communicate their true feelings.