The Invisible Teen

“No one would notice if I was gone.”  

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I hear from adolescents and teens too frequently about how they  feel if they stopped going to school, no one would notice or care.  I dig deep with them to help them identify who would miss them.  What scares me, though, is the kids who do not even voice this feeling of invisibility.  I’m not only talking about quiet students either.  Kids that are athletes, top students and/or involved in extracurricular voice these concerns.  They do not feel they are contributing, they do not feel they are worthy, they do not feel they are significant.        
I’ve written in the past about self-esteem.   I’m finding it is still low.  Of course, my experiences may be skewed as I am speaking about kids that are in therapy.  The thing is, though, there are a lot more of them than you think.  Between my full time job and part time job, I can see around fifty kids a week.  Of course, not all are expressing this feeling of invisibility but a good majority is dealing with self-esteem issues.  
It is not enough that parents try to help foster positive self-esteem (although please do so).  Also, classmates need to.  
Here are a few suggestion adolescents and teens can do to help others feel good:
Smiling at others
Praising them for a good idea/good answer
Offering encouragement 
Include someone who is left out
Validate someone who they witnessed being treated unfairly (example that guy acted like a jerk.  Are you okay?)
Give a genuine compliment
Ask how they are doing and then listen for a real answer.  If they say fine, ask just fine?  If they say good, ask why.
Look at them while you are talking 
Give high fives, a touch on the shoulder, or even a hug
PLEASE share with kids you know!!!