RED FLAGS


Red Flags Program Description



Mental Health America of Illinois (formerly Mental Health Association of Illinois) Supports Red Flags Awareness & Training



In-Depth Training Programs for Schools



Testimonials from Teacher Participants



Research on Red Flags



Red Flags in the News



Schools Using Red Flags Program



Bring Red Flags to Your School

PANEL BOARD


Teen Panel Board Program Description



Past Presentations



Bring the Panel to Your School

TESTIMONIALS

From Teacher Participants:

"Overall, an excellent and informative program full of insight, data and resources." - Maple School, Northbrook

"The information on the signs and symptoms was very helpful so teachers and parents could start to understand. This opened my eyes on the importance of the issue." - Emmons School, Antioch

"Well Done!! This is so important for the students." - Maple School

"Good program and well needed. We are enthusiastic and feel prepared to move forward." - Wood Oaks, Northbrook

"Thank you for a pleasant and wonderful meeting. Thank you for the offerings of assistance in implementing this program. I feel like we are not going to struggle trying to figure out how to do this on our own. I feel like this will be a success just because we are partnering with Erika's Lighthouse." - Edgewood School, Highland Park

"Thanks so much for providing this to the schools." - Northbrook Junior High, Northbrook

"Best workshop I've attended in a long time. This program should be a requirement for every school in the state." - Marie Murphy School, Wilmette

From Red Flags Schools:

"I co-taught the Red Flags curriculum two weeks ago with our 7th gr. social worker for the first time this school year (my health classes are now nine weeks in length rather than six weeks) and all went well. I just wanted you both to know that I am eternally grateful to Erika's Lighthouse for bringing the Red Flags Curriculum training to our school. A few days after the curriculum had ended, one of my students wrote entries in an English journal that set off "Red Flags" to the teacher; the student described in language directly from the curriculum how he/she was feeling; "sometimes hyper, sometimes like a sloth" and thought he/she was really depressed. The English teacher forwarded the student's writing to the 7th gr. social worker. In the meantime, this student also reached out to the social worker, parents were contacted and this student is now getting the needed help. Our middle school Pupil Personnel Services Supervisor made a point to thank me and said that she could not begin to tell me what a difference this curriculum has made for this family; (parents were concerned about their child both academically and socially and had previously requested a team conference for next week, however had no idea how their child was truly feeling!) So Ginny and Peggy, at this time of the year when we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives, Erika's Lighthouse and both of you are high on my personal gratitude list. Gratefully." - North Shore Middle School

"I was very impressed with how well our students responded to the Red Flags Program. It was rather easy to implement as the Claire's Story curriculum is laid out in a very user-friendly manner. We tailored the program to be four sessions in length and administered it with our seventh and eighth grade students during their physical education class. I feel our students have become aware of the signs and symptoms of depression and have a good understanding of what to do to get help if they notice symptoms in themselves or others. The curriculum does an excellent job of making students aware of what the treatment process for depression may be like, which makes it easier for them to muster up the courage to seek out assistance. Since we completed the program, at least two of our students have been receiving treatment for depression by private providers. I believe that this may not have been the case had they not been introduced to the information in the curriculum. Other students have approached me with concerns about themselves and peers in an appropriate manner. I was concerned that the program may lead to many students overreacting and thinking they were depressed or pointing fingers at others who they think are depressed, but this has not happened. Our students took the program seriously and I believe it will help us identify students that may be at risk in the future. Our teachers are also more familiar with the warning signs of depression and I believe they are better equipped to refer students to me that may not have referred without having been introduced to the Claire's Story curriculum. We shared the curriculum with teachers during an institute day at the onset of the school year. We are planning on continuing the program in the future with our seventh grade classes." - Lake County Middle School