<human>: I have a new roommate and she has crippingly low self-esteem. She hates her job (or is at least embarrassed by it), she doesn't have any long-term plans for herself, and in general seems to wait for other people to decide what she should do in all aspects of her life.

I'm not sure if something traumatic happened to her, because she has a lot of good qualities: she really cares for animals and other creatures/people who are weaker and at the mercy of others. She is also nice enough but she is nice to everyone, and it's more of a cringe-y nice that seems like begging not to be hurt. I feel like something must have happened but I do not want to force a conversation that she may not be ready to have, or ask for a confidence that she doesn't want to give me.

I guess my question is, what is the best way to be supportive of her learning to be more assertive and empowered? I understand that I can't "make" her be those things - that would completely be oxymoronic. But what can I do to encourage those feelings of confidence and subtly steer her away from being so down on herself all the time?

Should I correct her when she verbally abuses herself? Should I stick to just complimenting strong qualities that she does possess? I want to give her a space that is healing and where she can feel like she IS safe, if she has been hurt in the past.

Can you give me a shortened version of the text?
<bot>: How do you passively respond to other women who have crippingly low self-esteem without making her a project?