A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression
Effective school-based teen depression awareness programs promoting conversations, help-seeking and empowerment — at no cost, ever.
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
Classroom Accommodations For Students With Depression
When a teen is struggling with depression, there should be an expectation of a certain level of disorganization, forgetfulness and trouble concentrating. The good news is, there are accommodations that can be made in order to help reduce some of those setbacks. Be...
Family Engagement – Another Step Towards Depression Awareness
Extend meaningful discussions around mental health from the classroom to the home by engaging parents and caregivers with these free resources. Every parent or caregiver can spread a message of hope and protect those who need it most. By connecting classroom education...
Get Involved: Join Our Young Adult Board
The Erika's Lighthouse Young Adult Board (YAB) is composed of post-college members who host activities to raise funds and awareness about teen depression and mental health among their peers. While Erika's Lighthouse is based out of Chicago, we invite members from...
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
Strategic Partners
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.
In collaboration with the Anna Freud Centre For Children and Families, Erika’s Lighthouse has created “We All Have Mental Health: A Program for Middle & High School Remote Learners” so that schools can continue to deliver depression education and lessons on good mental health, even when teaching in distance learning environments.
Program Partners
Remembering T.J. has been a program partner for many years. Based in New Jersey, this program provides students, parents and educators a view of how teen depression can look like and incorporates the Erika’s Lighthouse resources.
Based in Virginia, the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation teaches school communities about suicide prevention and also shares the Erika’s Lighthouse lessons so that more students can be impacted by our depression education curriculum.
Donate to Erika’s Lighthouse
Your donation helps us provide school programs free of charge to Get Depression Out of the Dark.