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NATIONAL CENTER OF
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
YOU ARE NEVER ALONE
Teens and
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem and self-confidence are very important, especially as we are growing up and going through teenage years. So many factors play into self esteem and how we view ourselves.
Self-esteem is how you see yourself on the inside. Self-esteem has a great impact on the confidence you project into the world. It's something that a lot of people struggle with, especially while in high school and college. Having self-esteem correlates with academic performance, having friends, body image, and a variety of other factors. Some students struggle with self-esteem in various ways. Some base their self-esteem on their appearance, what grades they get, how many friends they have, whether they are popular or not, what they don't like about themselves, and even their social media status.
Both self-confidence and self-esteem are very essential to your success in the future, so it’s important to cultivate your strength now and believe in your ability to make a difference. One Life Project staff created this page to help you build your self-esteem and recognize your worth.
Teens and
Mental Health
Teens face a lot of pressure as they grow up. It's not always easy being a teen, from dealing with issues at school and at home, to balancing a busy schedule, to learning new things and growing more into your individuality, it can be stressful. Mental illness, self harm, eating related disorders, and low self esteem are more prevalent in schools today then they were decades ago. And with today's added pressure of having to fit in, many teens and young people don't reach out for help.
Because many don't often reach out for help, it's important for parents, friends, and family members to understand and properly recognize mental illness and suicide warning signs when they see them. It's also important to educate and advocate for teens so they can better understand themselves and their feelings.
Across the world, more than 16% of teens deal with some kind of mental illness or depressive disorder and many go untreated until the teen gets older.
Teens and
Bullying
Bullying is a serious issue in schools, especially for teenage children. In 2022, over 25% of teens ages 13 through 18 experienced some form of bullying. Bullying can include spreading rumors and lies, calling someone names, making fun of others, pushing, shoving, excluding others on purpose, making threats of harm toward someone else, and destroying someone else's property or belongings. It also includes cyberbullying, the online equivalent of in school bullying.
There is an unfortunate relationship between bullying and suicide and it's a very complex one. Research has shown that increased bullying can lead to increased thoughts of self harm, suicide intentions, or harm to others.
There should be a no tolerance policy for bullying within schools and almost all United States schools have this policy or one similar. Unfortunately, holding students to this policy is not always as easy as it sounds. Some schools lack on holding students accountable, as we've seen in recent news. Bullying should always be taken seriously, no matter if it's in school, or online.
Teens and Suicide
Prevention
Teen suicide statistics have worsened since COVID-19 and it's up to use to help support and educate teens on mental health and the warnings signs for suicide.
Suicide prevention is a critical initiative that involves comprehensive efforts to identify and address the factors contributing to suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents. Understanding the complex interplay of mental health, social, and environmental factors is key to developing effective prevention strategies.
Knowing the warning signs, supporting your friends, and advocating for others all are steps you can take to help prevent suicide in your peers.
The One Life Project works hard to promote positive self-care, supports teens with mental illnesses and low self-esteem, and prioritizes education and advocacy in the hopes of building a community where teens feel that they can reach out for help without fear of judgement or ridicule.
Social Media
Safety
Social media is as popular as ever, with multiple new social media platforms coming out each month. In 2023, young people have access to hundreds of social media platforms, dating sites, anonymous chat sites, and various other websites and platforms to use. Keeping safe on social media is essential for teens and all young people.
55% of teens say it would be too hard to give up social media. Many teens get their news, current events, and event outings from social media. A high 92% of all teens use social media, leaving only a few who use no kind of social media. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat rank the most popular for teens 13-18. Many teens check Snapchat and TikTok hourly. YouTube is another social media app that has a lot of teen viewers.