Self-esteem has a massive influence on our health and well-being. In the words of Heather Erickson, a clinical therapist and Director of Behavioral Health at Amery Hospital and Clinic: “It impacts how we think, feel and behave. Which can ultimately impact all areas of our lives, including our relationships, our work, our goals and how we take care of ourselves and others.”

As parents, it’s natural to want our kids to have good self-esteem. But to raise confident children, we have to understand how their self-esteem forms, and our role in that process. Our conversation with Heather on the For Health’s Sake podcast covered both of these topics, as well as:

• What healthy self-esteem looks like
• What low self-esteem looks like
• How to handle praise and criticism
• How to help a child with low self-esteem

Ask for help if you need it

Mental health can be a complex topic. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s self-esteem, Heather recommends reaching out to an expert. “Don’t hesitate to talk to your family doctor, pediatrician or school counselor,” she says. “Or reach out to a therapist. There are many tools that we can use as therapists to help build self-esteem.”