Mental Health

Self Esteem & Identity

16 Jul 2026 3 min read

Self-esteem shapes how we think and feel about ourselves, and it affects almost every part of our lives, from the decisions we make and the relationships we build to how we cope with setbacks at work or at home. When our self-esteem is healthy, we are more likely to feel confident, resilient and deserving of happiness.

Low self-esteem is something many people experience at some point in their lives. It can be triggered by bullying, discrimination, pressure at work or study, or physical and mental health problems, and it often grows from negative beliefs we hold about ourselves. The good news is that it isn’t permanent, and there are practical steps that can help.

In this article, we explain what self-esteem is, what can affect it, simple ways to start building it and how this links to a healthy sense of self-identity. You’ll also find trusted resources for young people, adults and parents or caregivers at the end of the page.

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves – Mind

Our self-esteem can affect many different aspects, a few examples are:

How you like and value yourself as a person
The ability to make decisions
Move past mistakes without blaming yourself unfairly
Believing that you deserve happiness

When our self-esteem is low, we tend to see ourselves and our life in a more negative and critical light – NHS

The things that can affect our self-esteem are different for everyone and there are many things in life that may contribute to low self-esteem, a few examples are:

Being bullied
Experiencing discrimination, racism, or prejudice
Problems at work or whilst studying
Physical or mental health problems

Low self-esteem often grows from negative thoughts and beliefs we hold about ourselves. It may be rooted in past experiences, criticism, or the pressure to be ‘perfect’.

Low self-esteem isn’t a mental health problem in itself, but mental health and self-esteem can be closely linked.

Low self-esteem is not permanent. Building self-esteem takes time, but every step towards self-acceptance brings us closer to a healthier, happier mindset.

So how can you build self-esteem?

Be kind to yourself, treat yourself with the same care you’d give to a friend.
Set realistic goals and focus on your strengths.
List those things you are proud of and celebrate your progress.
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones and surround yourself with supportive people.
Stop comparing yourself to others, focus on your own journey.

Mind have put together a Video with some tips on how to improve self-esteem.

Once self-esteem is built you can will be able to establish your self-identity.

‘Self-identity is how we see, understand and define ourselves. Our identity is made up of the traits we believe we possess (whether true or not), personal beliefs, interests and life experiences.’ – Health Assured

You can read more here: How to Build a Healthy Self-Identity

Reach out to your GP or local mental health service if you feel you need support.