Self Esteem and Body Image
Having good mental health includes having good self-esteem as it helps us to feel good about ourselves and our life. Good self-esteem contributes to resilience which helps us cope with the normal ups and downs of life.
A parent or trusted adult can make a valuable impact to a child's self-esteem by making them feel loved, supported and valued. So never underestimate the impact your words and actions can have on a child's life, even with simple things such as hugging them, telling them you love them, spending quality time with them and asking if they are okay.
Promote a positive body image
Parents and carers can also have an important role in developing a young person's positive body image. Body image is something lots of teenagers struggle with as their body goes through puberty and they feel more and more pressure from their peers and social media. Adults can make teenagers feel positive about themselves which helps their confidence.
Use the links below to find trusted support on this topic. Additionally, encourage your child to use the Health Topic pages for their relevant age group here on Teen Health. They can find more information and resources to support them.