Voicing thoughts and emotions means expressing what one feels or believes, whether through spoken words, body language, or creative outlets. It can feel difficult, especially for those who fear judgment, struggle with confidence, or have not had many chances to be heard. Despite these challenges, self-expression plays a key role in setting boundaries, communicating needs, and building self-trust.
The Your Voice Matters poster reminds clients that their thoughts, feelings, and ideas are important and deserve to be heard. It uses a visual design to represent self-expression, to help convey the value of speaking up.
Seeing this reminder can help kids and teens express themselves without fear or hesitation and communicate in ways that feel right for them.
Small actions, like inviting them to share their opinions during group activities or allowing them to speak without interruption, can help them feel more comfortable. Caring adults can also encourage different forms of self-expression — whether through storytelling, music, or creative projects — so they can discover what feels most natural to them.
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References:
- Bashshur, M. R., & Oc, B. (2014). When voice matters. Journal of Management, 41(5), 1530-1554. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206314558302
- Phelan, P., Davidson, A. L., & Cao, H. T. (1992). Speaking up: Students' perspectives on school. The Phi Delta Kappan, 73(9), 695–704.
- Jean-Berluche, D. (2024). Creative expression and mental health. Journal of Creativity, 34(2), 100083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjoc.2024.100083
