BEAUTY WITHIN ~ TEEN ESTEEM ™

The teenage years are a whirlwind of change – physical, emotional, and social. It's a time of incredible growth, but also a time when self-esteem can take a hit. Social media, academic pressures, and the constant search for identity can all contribute to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. So, what can teens do to boost their self-esteem? Focus on Strengths: Encourage teens to identify and celebrate their talents and accomplishments, big or small. Cultivate Healthy Habits: Exercise, proper nutrition, and enough sleep all play a crucial role in mental and emotional well-being. Practice Self-Compassion: Teach teens to be kind to themselves, to acknowledge their mistakes without self-criticism, and to learn from setbacks. Build Strong Relationships: Positive relationships with family, friends, and mentors provide a strong support system. Limit Social Media Comparison: Encourage mindful social media use and help teens understand that curated online lives rarely reflect reality. F...

In actuality, young voters find it more difficult to find out about elections, schedule time to cast a ballot, and even to be aware that they are taking place. Knowing the power of voting, we strive to make election and voting information as accessible as possible, while also acknowledging the obstacles that younger voters must overcome. We are meeting young Americans on social media, where more than 40% of them get their news. Young people's voices count, so we want them to understand the importance of voting. And we'll be right there on Instagram if that's how we contact them! Young people show up to vote when they are equipped with the necessary knowledge. The pudding has the proof. Trends over the last ten years indicate that the number of young voters has increased; the highest young voter participation occurred in the 2018 midterm elections, and the second-highest in the 2022 midterm elections. In addition, initiatives that young people are strongly committed to have ...

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! This month is a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting our most vulnerable. Child abuse can have devastating consequences, but together, we can make a difference. Hey readers, are there organizations you support that work to prevent child abuse?  Share their resources or ways to get involved in the comments below. Statistics on child abuse: https://www.childwelfare.gov Importance of reporting suspected abuse, call toll-free: 1-800-344-6000 SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 FindTreatment.gov: Get help Mental Health Foundation: Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day at 116 123 Mental health organizations: Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), The Trevor Project, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and others NYC Well website: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Press 2 Prevention Information and Parent Helpline website: 1-800-342-7472 Safe Horizons website:...

Teenagers are used to hearing from every side how wrong, unfair, and unjust their lives are and hurling a never-ending stream of self-criticism from their inner voice. These relentless bombardments can soon take their toll on confidence. Don’t worry: there are valuable tools teens can employ to quiet the inner critic and develop bulletproof confidence. This guide will equip you with Modified ways to combat harsh self-talk: Identify your inner critic and develop strategies to diminish its power with positive self-statements and realistic self-assessment. The power of self-compassion: Pause and become mindful when you direct self-criticism. Take a deep breath and watch your thoughts from outside of yourself. Everyone messes up sometimes. Be kind, forgiving, and understanding to yourself. Cultivating a self-audience: Enlist a ‘hype squad’ of friends, family, and mentors who encourage and believe in you. Celebrate your strengths and achievements: claim your talents, accomplishments, a...

Listen to this episode from The Ezra Klein Show on Spotify. It’s hard to think of a more celebrated figure of the 20th century than Martin Luther King Jr.He has a national memorial in Washington, D.C. His birthday is one of just 11 federal holidays. His words and legacy are routinely evoked by politicians of both major parties. I would go as far as to say he should be considered one of America’s founding fathers, which is one reason why I wanted to revisit this episode on Independence Day. But the paradox of King’s legacy is that while many revere him, very few actually read him. Most of us can cite a handful of his most famous quotes, but King’s actual teachings span five books, countless speeches and sermons, and years of detailed correspondence. There’s perhaps no scholar working today who studies Dr. King’s political philosophy as deeply as Brandon Terry. Terry is the John L. Loeb associate professor of social sciences at Harvard, where he specializes in Black political thought. He...

Opinion: I went from being an addict to helping others quit : After three years of sober living, I am an AOD — Alcohol and Other Drug — abuse counselor at Father Joe’s Village in San Diego It's inspiring to hear about at-risk youth who turn their lives around. These individuals have overcome significant challenges and adversity, and their stories can serve as a beacon of hope for others facing similar circumstances.