Hey Teens!

Dear Young People,

As a supporter of young people I often get asked about self worth or how we feel about ourselves. You know what I mean because you ask these kinds of questions every day. Who am I? Who needs me? Who cares about me? Will I be accepted? Will people laugh at me? Will I be able to compete with others? How do I look? How do I come across? Do I have a place in the world? Does anybody love me?

Each time you fail, make a mistake, each time you are not chosen for the team or the party, each time you are called a name or forget something you store this in your memory bank. When you enter the teen time zone, all of this comes back with a force to attack your sense of self worth.

The best thing you can do is to get very good at being you.

We are in the grips of a world wide self esteem drought. Mental illness, drug abuse, violence and social disorder show how difficult it is for people to find their place in family and the community. The road to self esteem and personal worth is out of reach for many people. It is not getting any better. We must have self esteem if we are to survive. We all suffer without it.

The vast majority of those between 12 and 20 years of age are bitterly
disappointed with who they are and what they represent.

Many young people don't like themselves, seeing themselves as bad, ugly and useless. Denying they are lovable or capable of loving anyone else, they sit in a puddle of self hate. They punish themselves and the world for hating them. They often destroy relationships, people and property. Many young people predict that others will reject them. Getting in first and rejecting others may take away the pain of their own rejection. This way they have some control by saying 'I knew you'd end up rejecting me, that's why I got in first and rejected you'. In other words I'm not worth a thing, either are you and I don't care.

Often the greatest damage is unintentionally inflicted in your home
which should be your special, safe place.

Counsellors are there to help you believe you are loved, lovable and very worthwhile.
Low self esteem can be lifted and you will face the world with confidence.
I believe you have the courage to help yourself. What are you going to do about it?

Best wishes,

Julie