You Can Help End the Stigma

If you’re a middle or high school student (ages 13-17) and have dealt with depression, Erika’s Lighthouse wants to hear from you.

Erika’s Lighthouse Video Project

We are creating new videos for our mental health education program.

These videos may be used by teachers across the country in grades 5-9. If you’re a student (ages 13-17) and are comfortable talking about your journey, please reach out.

Our current middle school video was made in 2014. We want to keep the valuable information and positive messages, but update it with more current stories.

Want to Share Your Story?

You can create a 45-90 second self-recorded video for our middle school mental health education program, and make a difference in someone’s life.

Want to Share Your Story?

You can create a 45-90 second self-recorded video for our middle school mental health education program, and make a difference in someone’s life.

Erika’s Lighthouse Video Project

We are creating new videos for our mental health education program.

These videos may be used by teachers across the country in grades 5-9. If you’re a student (ages 13-17) and are comfortable talking about your journey, please reach out.

Our current middle school video was made in 2014. We want to keep the valuable information and positive messages, but update it with more current stories.

About Erika’s Lighthouse

Erika’s Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004. Our mission is to make sure no young person feels alone in their depression. We are dedicated to creating a community of empathy and education. We create mental health education programs for grades 4-12. We want to create safe spaces for educators, families and teens to learn about mental health, letting teens know they are never alone, and there is somewhere to turn.  We believe depression education is suicide prevention.

Erika’s Lighthouse is a national organization that impacts hundreds of thousands of students across the United States every year. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of this video is for other youth to hear stories like yours, promote help seeking, and reduce the stigma around mental health.

What is the process?

Step 1: Complete the interest form above 

Step 2: An Erika’s Lighthouse team member will reach out to you and send you a link to the guardian/parent permission form

Step 3: Once the permission form has been received, a video conference will be scheduled between you and a member of the education team at Erika’s Lighthouse. The purpose of this video conference is to learn more about you and your mental health journey. 

Step 4: If selected, you will record a 45-90 second video describing your mental health journey. This short clip will be added to Erika’s Lighthouse library of teen stories.

What if I have questions?

Feel free to contact katie@erikaslighthouse.org with any questions!

Tell me more about Erika's Lighthouse

MISSION

Erika’s Lighthouse is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

VISION

To make sure no young person feels alone in their depression by becoming the leading provider of teen depression awareness programs and resources in school communities.

PILLARS

In order to create inclusive school cultures, we offer school communities:

  • Classroom Education curricula for grades 4-12
  • Teen Empowerment through school clubs and turn-key activities
  • Family Engagement through workshops and our parent handbook
  • School Policy & Staff Development opportunities to improve school culture and attitudes around mental health

VALUES

We Believe In:

The Power of Programs with Impact
We are committed to de-stigmatizing depression and providing hope for young people who have it. Our innovative, evidence-informed classroom programs do more than raise awareness; they provide a structured model for youth to thrive and survive. Making a meaningful difference in the lives of teens with depression defines all we do and who we are.

The Power of Positivity
We believe in the power of positivity – it permeates our culture through our mission statement and how we engage with students, teachers, and administrators. Positivity, knowledge, and compassion create empowerment, and empowerment drives change and hope.

The Power of Programs that Spread
We are determined to make every community a beacon of hope, which is why all of our activities – from programs to engagements – are designed to be easily replicated and customizable for schools across the country, and the world.

The Power of Trust and Integrity
We deeply believe in what we do, and we believe in others. In all we do, we operate with integrity, trust, respect, and authenticity. We are resourceful, we are good stewards of the gifts we are given, and we always hold ourselves accountable. What we do truly matters.

The Power to Change the World
We know that empowered teens can change cultures, even deeply rooted ones. Through education, modeling, and positivity, our programs provide proven foundations for teens to create a thriving culture of compassion, support, and hope.

PHILOSOPHIES

  • Depression education is suicide prevention to identify more teens and intervene earlier.
  • Inclusive school cultures are essential to promote meaningful dialogue and help-seeking behavior.
  • Mental health is just as important as physical health.
  • Everyone deserves good mental health.