Bridge to Wellness
February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month
by Anna Webber
This month, we would like to highlight ways to build positive self-esteem in honor of International Boost Self-Esteem Month.
Self-esteem is your confidence level and how you feel about yourself. We all have had different experiences throughout our lives that may have affected our self-esteem levels, either positively or negatively. The good news is if you feel you have a lower sense of self-esteem, science says you can increase it over time.
According to NationalToday.com, here are three ways to observe International Boost Self-Esteem Month and help grow your self-esteem:
- Remember your past accomplishments. This is a time to remind yourself of the amazing things you’ve done, no matter how little they seem. Doing this will encourage you to look forward to doing more.
- Accept and give compliments. Make sure when someone admires you or says something nice about you, or what you have, you believe them and sincerely appreciate the words. As you feel more confident with the compliments, do well to help others feel the same, too.
- Build habits that will promote self-improvement. Whether it’s to get in better shape or to perform better in a class, develop habits that will help you achieve these desires. Eventually, they’ll become realities and you will see just how amazing you are.
Remember, growth takes time and professionals are available to talk to if you need some extra support with your mental health journey. Check out the resources below for more information.
- Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties.
Provides mental health and substance abuse services to adults and youth residing in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.
- Phone: (517) 346-8318; or for 24-hour Crisis Services: (517) 346-8460.
- Website: org
- Washtenaw County Community Mental Health CARES.
Services for all ages; offers short-term stabilization services including individual and group therapy, peer support and psychiatry services for residents in Washtenaw.
- Phone: (734) 544-3050.
- Website: org/2936/Crisis-Services
Services for all ages; offers therapy services, case management, medical services, youth peer supports, and more for people in Jackson and Hillsdale counties.
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1 (800) 284-8288.
- Website: org/crisis-services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained counselor who can help.
This column is sponsored by the Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition. Anna Webber is the SRSLY Stockbridge and Manchester program coordinator with the Community Health Improvement Team at Chelsea Hospital.
