Self-awareness is “the ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior” (http://www.casel.org/core-competencies/). Such ability allows us to realize our current self and the ideal self against which we compare our current self.

People with high self-awareness can effectively assess their strengths and limitations, recognize the emotions they experience, adopt a growth mindset where they believe in their ability to adapt and change for the better, and develop a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism (Morin, 2011). As a result, self-aware people act consciously rather than reactively, therefore they are more likely to be successful in life. They live more at peace, have more positive outlook on life and greater psychological wellbeing. They are also more compassionate toward themselves and others.

On the contrary, a lack of self-awareness and acceptance of the self can lead one to engage in activities that distract one from one’s own self, such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, overeating, engaging in extreme sexual behavior, and ultimately committing suicide (Morin, 2011). Therefore, the Self-Awareness campaign aims to engage mentors and mentees in activities and programs that encourage reflection and self-evaluation, so that the benefits of self-awareness can be reaped while negative consequences associated with avoidance of the self can be effectively coped with.