Promoting inclusive school cultures
through mental health education
Erika’s Lighthouse offers a suite of programs designed to allow educators to empower
students and their families around depression and mental health.
We give educators the tools to create meaningful discussions about mental health and depression
Adolescent depression lives in the shadows. Young people facing it feel isolated and dangerously alone. We help schools provide their students with the skills needed to talk to each other, to their parents, to their teachers, and to counselors.
Classroom Education
Our free, easy-to-use and accessible programs put the student at the center, talking to them in a language they understand.
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.
Family Engagement
We have designed information, resources, workshops and more to equip schools to better interact with students and their families.
Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Your Thoughts
Your thoughts play a huge role in how you feel and behave. A lot of times we aren’t even aware of how we are thinking and that is impacting our reactions and emotions. So the more you understand and recognize your thoughts the more power you have to shift your moods...
Local Nonprofit Spotlight: Erika’s Lighthouse Illuminates Hope with Adolescent Depression
Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms Local Nonprofit Spotlight, where we highlight and introduce a local nonprofit’s inception and mission. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and thus, CNSMoms is kicking off this special month a few days early to help spread...
Shine A Light On Mental Health
You have the power to help address the serious and increasing mental health challenges affecting teens today. Shine a Light is your opportunity to help get depression out of the dark and to recognize, honor, and celebrate the people and events that are important to...
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 schools with ways to educate teens and families through messages of hope and resources to find help
Families
Schools can play a role in helping families recognize the signs of depression in their 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.