May is an ideal time to remind teens of their worth. Because of that, Teen Self-Esteem Month was created to boost the opportunities to recognize the self-worth and confidence in teens.

Self-esteem influences teenagers’ mental and physical health. About 20% of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood, and about 75% of girls with self-esteem issues go through episodes of self-harm.

Throughout the teen years, people experience hardships, challenges and changes that can impact goals and values. For that reason, self-esteem can be easily damaged. Beginning from May 1, there are ways to spread positivity for awareness of the issue. Adults, such as parents, teachers or even teens themselves, can lead by example. This includes avoiding negative talk or criticism, and opening lines of communication for teens who suffer from a loss of self-esteem.

This issue has become such a great movement in society that businesses and organizations have seized the opportunities in the month of May to recognize it and offer their services to show their support. Teen self-esteem is a real issue and when it is damaged, teens can fall into depression or lose love for themselves. Outcomes like these that can be prevented through awareness and spread of positivity.

One’s teen years are precious. These years of growth and evolution guide and prepare teens to become supportive adults, ready to face the real world as well-adjusted individuals.

While recognizing May as Teens Self-Esteem Month has greatly spread awareness of the issue, challenges will continue throughout society’s expectations of teens until everyone is supportive and willing to spread positivity to uplift a teen’s self-esteem year round.