A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression
Erika’s Lighthouse has won the 2020 Community Builder Award from the Child Mind Institute as part of its annual Change Maker Awards!
We give educators the tools to create meaningful discussions about depression
Adolescent depression lives in the shadows. Young people facing it feel isolated and dangerously alone. We help schools create hopeful dialogue so students can talk to each other, to their parents, to their teachers, and to counselors.
Classroom Programs
Our free, easy-to-use and accessible programs put the student at the center, talking to them in a language they understand.
Educator Support
As a school partner, we can work with you to make the most of the Erika’s Lighthouse programs and help you customize the programs for your school.
Teen Empowerment
We believe teens will change our world when given the right tools. We’ll help you set up peer-led campaigns, fundraisers and Teen Clubs in your school.
Recent Blog Posts
Navigating New Terrain and Mapping A Future
“The Erika’s Lighthouse community was very welcoming and very open. That was a big experience for me, the first moment for me to express something that I’ve wanted to talk about for a while. Now I had that community and those people that understood - to help me share...
Fake It Till You Make It
Being a teenager with depression feels lonely, dark, and wrong in every way. Why should I be sad when I have an amazing loving family and a group of friends to always laugh with? The constant ring in your ear of, “What’s wrong with me?” There's not always an answer to...
Connecting With Professionals Anytime, Anywhere
Feedback on discussion forums has been clear: participants appreciate the opportunity to learn from and reflect on their practice with colleagues across the country. Participating in an online forum in which everyone can connect with peers and engage in meaningful...
Erika's Lighthouse Programs Are Near You
Our evidence-informed, depression awareness education programs are spreading around the world. See if a school or organization near you is utilizing Erika's Lighthouse Classroom Programs.
This School Year's Impact
Since August 2020
Countries
States
Schools Served
Teens Impacted
Teens Impacted Since 2004
We provide teens and parents with a message that instills hope and resources to find help
Parents
Learn how to recognize the signs of depression in your child. See if our programs are right for your school or community.
Teens
Learn about depression and take charge of your mental health. Together, we can Get Depression Out of the Dark.
Teen Depression Toolbox
Worrying that you or someone you love has depression can be overwhelming. You are not alone. Hope and help are possible and it all starts with a little education.
From Tragedy, Hope
Erika’s Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression was founded in 2004 by Virginia and Thomas Neuckranz after their daughter Erika lost her life to depression. In order to avoid another loss in the community, they founded Erika’s Lighthouse with the goal of creating educational materials to Get Depression Out of the Dark.
With help from the community, and from donors nationwide, we’ve grown and expanded our mission across the country. We know that working together, we can save lives.
Our school has partnered with Erika’s Lighthouse for several years, and I am always impressed with the quality of materials that they produce. Talking about depression can make both teachers and students uncomfortable, but the Erika’s Lighthouse programs are designed to decrease the negative attitudes of depression. The programs provide an opportunity for conversations about how students can contribute to a positive mental health culture in their school and community.
Our Partnerships
Erika’s Lighthouse is part of this unique collaboration of organizations committed to raising awareness of depression and preventing suicide among young people.
Erika’s Lighthouse, along with our partners at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), are developing an upper-elementary program. This initiative is generously supported by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation.
Donate to Erika’s Lighthouse
Your donation helps us provide school programs free of charge to Get Depression Out of the Dark.