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
The Power of You: Creating Inclusive Communities
Over the years we have seen incredible research showing the power of a trusted adult in the life of young people. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child released a study saying, “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed...
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT: Shared Vocabulary
At Erika’s Lighthouse, we understand that discussing depression can be a challenging topic. As an educator or social worker, you are considered a trusted adult to the students who come to you. And while we realize this isn’t always part of your typical lesson plan, we...
2019-20 End of School Year Report
Download the report Erika's Lighthouse is so proud of the amazing work accomplished this past school year. Educating over 218,000 students is just the beginning and we look forward to having you join us on our journey.
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.
Countries
States
Schools Served
Teens Impacted This School Year
Over 750,000 teens have been educated 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.