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
Meeting Educators to Meet Students
The world of education today is laser-focused on meeting students where they are at - promoting equity, using sensitive and trauma-informed approaches and recognizing the unique needs and challenges of each student. We applaud these efforts and support educators in...
A Parent’s Handbook on Childhood and Teen Depression
Somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of our children and teens will suffer from at least one depressive episode before they reach adulthood. These episodes come in many forms—ranging from the child who doesn’t want to go to school to the teen who is constantly in a...
Change Is In The Air
Autumn has arrived. Where I live, you can see the leaves change color and feel the bittersweet chill in the air. My school community is focused on Octoberfest and all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice, apples, Halloween costumes, and candy. The schools are buzzing with...
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.
Donate to Erika’s Lighthouse
Your donation helps us provide school programs free of charge to Get Depression Out of the Dark.