February SAP Newsletter

Is self esteem the same as confidence?

Answer:

Not quite; there is some overlap, but self esteem is valuing and appreciating yourself. (I am enough!)

Self confidence is belief in yourself and your abilities. (I can do it!)

Here is an example of a person with low self esteem but high self confidence:

Maria is a skilled soccer player with high confidence in her abilities on the field. She knows she’s good at the game and feels sure of her performance. However, outside of soccer, she struggles with low self-esteem, feeling unworthy and thinking, “I’m only liked for my talent, not for who I am.” She’s confident in certain areas but doesn’t feel valuable as a person overall.

Is self esteem the same self efficacy?

Answer:

Not quite; self efficacy is when we know we will be able to get better and achieve our goals. (I can, if I practice!)

Self esteem is when we can deal with pressures in life and feel we deserve to be happy. (I am enough, no matter what others think!)

Self esteem, self confidence, and self efficacy are intertwined and are helpful to address together. We want to believe we are competent in things that matter to us, that we are worthy of our existence, and that with effort, we will be able to achieve positive things in life.

Low self esteem can result in a person having a critical internal voice. This voice can become louder when in difficult situations, feeling overwhelmed, or when feeling judged. This feeling can cause a person to:

• Fixate on mistakes

• Expect negative outcomes

• Believe negative thoughts

• Explain away abilities or strengths

• Avoid difficult situations

• Believe that pleasure/ fun is not deserved

• Ignore positives

• Avoid situations where one may be judged.

• Feel lonely

• Decrease self-care

• Compare self to others

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental-Health-Professionals/Self-Esteem/Self-Esteem---Information-Sheets/Self-Esteem-Information-Sheet---02---Beginnings-of-Low-Self-Esteem.pdf

Self-esteem and addictive behaviors are deeply connected, as low self-esteem often drives individuals to use substances or engage in addictive behaviors to cover negative emotions like inadequacy, shame, or pain. Addiction provides temporary relief, but over time, it often exacerbates those feelings, creating a destructive cycle. Masking negative emotions through addiction prevents individuals from addressing underlying issues, keeping them trapped in a state of dependency.

Recovery involves breaking this cycle by building self-esteem through healthy practices, such as setting achievable goals, developing supportive relationships, and fostering self-awareness. Often a therapist or counselor is able to help identify and build positive skills. These practices help individuals confront and manage negative emotions constructively, reducing reliance on addiction and promoting lasting growth.

Programs like COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) play a critical role in supporting youth on this journey. COPE is an evidence-based initiative designed to empower young people by equipping them with the tools to enhance self-esteem, improve decision-making, and address challenges constructively. By focusing on personal empowerment, COPE helps youth build the skills needed to break the cycle of addiction and achieve lasting well-being.

To learn more about COPE or explore additional prevention services, contact the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania here.

The Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale is a self assessment you can take to get a better picture of your self esteem and how others view you. Click the link below for a free version of this test.

https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RSE.php

Here is a link to a detailed explanation of the cognitive distortion known as "should statements," along with a helpful worksheet designed for both high school students and adults: https://www.carepatron.com/templates/should-statements-worksheet. These statements often involve imposing unrealistic expectations on ourselves or others, leading to feelings of frustration, guilt, or inadequacy. Being aware of how "should" statements influence our thoughts is an important step in improving self-esteem and fostering healthier thought patterns.

For helpful strategies on reframing thoughts for young students, check out Helping Children Challenge Negative Thinking. This guide provides practical strategies to help younger individuals recognize and reshape negative thinking patterns. Developing these skills early on can have a lasting positive impact on self-esteem and overall emotional well-being.

For older students and adults, see the PDF for Automatic Thought Recording. It is an excellent tool for identifying and reframing negative thought patterns. This advanced approach encourages critical self-reflection and supports the development of healthier, more balanced ways of thinking, ultimately improving mental resilience and self-confidence.

Here are ideas for elementary teachers: https://teachertoni.com/studentwork/ .

Here is an article on how being assertive is beneficial: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/assertive/art-20044644.

By making SMART goals, they likely will be attainable, leading to a sense of success. Click the link below to learn more.

https://www.developgoodhabits.com/smart-goals-students/

Learn about Robert Bandua’s theory about self-efficacy and get ideas on how to help students increase their self efficacy.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-efficacy.html

How do values help us fight anxiety and know who we are? https://www.kcresolve.com/blog/acting-on-our-values

See this values worksheet for a list to help identify core values: https://positive.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/Core-Values-Worksheet.pdf

“Some people have a growth mindset, which means they hold an internal belief that their talents and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Others have a fixed mindset, which means they believe that their abilities are innate and cannot be changed much, if at all.” See the link below to learn more.

https://mentorloop.com/blog/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset-what-do-they-really-mean/

Here is an article on how to exercise to boost your confidence and mood: https://www.rmhp.org/boost-your-self-esteem-with-exercise/

Hygiene can affect how we feel about ourselves too! Click below to find out more.

https://www.maryvale.org/http/maryvalenews2016.blogspot.com/boosting-teen-self-esteem-through-hygiene#:~:text=Good%20personal%20hygiene%20can%20significantly,will%20extend%20throughout%20your%20life.

Ideas on how to show elementary students they matter: https://rainbowskycreations.com/8-ways-to-help-students-feel-valued/

To improve self esteem have a space to let students’ voices be heard.

Using an identity/ expression/ achievement board (where students choose what they post) is a great way to let students feel like they are able to be themselves and share what makes them proud about themselves! Examples:

An affirmation is a positive statement you tell yourself that will improve the way you feel about things. See here for a great list of affirmations: https://www.odu.edu/equity/civility-month/affirmations.

National school counseling week

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Events-Professional-Development/Events/National-School-Counseling-Week

Black lives matter at school week of action

https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/

International childhood cancer day

https://internationalchildhoodcancerday.org/

National eating disorders awareness week

https://nationaltoday.com/neda-week/

Black history month

https://blackhistorymonth.gov/

Random Acts of Kindness Week

https://nationaltoday.com/random-acts-of-kindness-week/#:~:text=Random%20Acts%20of%20Kindness%20Week%20%E2%80%93%20February%2014%2D20%2C%202025&text=We%20celebrate%20Random%20Acts%20of,a%20great%20deal%20to%20somebody.

Bucks Human Services Connect-The HUB 1-888-942-8257

https://www.buckscounty.gov/1298/Bucks-Human-Services-Connect---The-Hub

The HUB aims to support families in Bucks County by connecting them to helpful resources and supports available in the community.

Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc.
https://www.bcdac.org/
The Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. offers online resources available in Bucks County and provides information on prevention, treatment, and recovery supports. If you or a loved one is struggling with drugs and alcohol, the BCDAC is here to help!

NAMI Bucks County, PA

https://namibuckspa.org/

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Lenape Valley Foundation (215)-345-5300

https://www.lenapevf.org/

Penn Foundation (215) 257-6551

https://www.pennfoundation.org/

Penndel Mental Health Center (215) 752-1541

https://www.penndelmhc.org/

Family Service Association of Bucks County (215)-757-6916
https://www.fsabc.org/get-help/counseling-therapy/

*Contact the number on your insurance card for appropriate provider*

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/looking-after-yourself/self-esteem

In depth lesson plan, information sheets, and worksheets about self-esteem.

https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/health-and-wellbeing/self-help-resources/self-esteem-and-self-confidence#:~:text=Self%2Desteem%20and%20self%2Dconfidence%20overlap%2C%20but%20they%20are,in%20yourself%20and%20your%20abilities.

Information from The University of Queensland on self esteem.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

A mentoring program for youth.

Find Therapists and Psychologists in Pennsylvania - Psychology Today

Find a therapist near near you.

• What is SAP? In Pennsylvania, every school must have a Student Assistance Program (SAP). A SAP team, made up of school and community agency staff, is here to help you access school and community services.

• How can SAP support students and families? SAP offers psychoeducational groups, including but not limited to coping skills, affinity groups, and socio-emotional supports. SAP also provides short-term, 1 on 1 problem-solving sessions tailored to your child's needs. Other options available through SAP are behavioral health screenings and biopsychosocial assessments. SAP is unable to provide a diagnosis or be part of an IEP/504 accommodations plan.

• Who to contact: You can reach out to your child's guidance counselor or look at their school website for SAP information.

The video below contains information about the SAP program in Pennsylvania K-12 schools.

Contact Information

Email: mgroden@councilsepa.org

Website: www.councilsepa.org
Location: 4459 West Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 215-345-6644