“Self Worth” - Mental Health Moment with Professional Sista, Marsha McLean

This is your Professional Sista, Marsha McLean and I have been assigned to restore the mental health of communities, families and relationships; especially as it affects Black Women. Here is your “Mental Health Moment”. This week our focus will be “Self Worth”, also known as self-esteem.

Self worth is the power of knowing who you are. It is having confidence in your own abilities. It’s the self respect and regard that you have for the person you can never leave which is you. The first step in developing strong self worth is avoidance of comparing yourself to others. This is a sure fire way to destroy your self esteem and can be agonizing. The next step is knowing yourself. Life can cripple you if you are not certain about who you are. You have to make yourself aware of triggers or sensitive areas in your life to build up coping measures. 

Lastly, identify qualities about yourself that you value and build on them. Sometimes you have to encourage and speak to yourself like you would to somebody that you loved. If you have lost your self-worth, now is the hour to refocus by being around positive, supportive, affirmative family and peers. Also consider working with a trained mental health professional. Do this work for yourself because you are worth it. 

Your Professional Sista Marsha McLean, LPC
~Marsha