Blog
Stay connected with Erika’s Lighthouse. Read personal stories, hear about program updates, explore ways to improve mental health and stay relevant with commentary on the latest topics.
Parenthood By: Nell Osborne
A Heart on the Outside of the Body That is what it's like having children. That’s what we’re told and we accept that as how it is. However, I am sitting here thinking, Uhm. Okay. But how in the world do I live my life if my heart is outside of my body? How do I go to...
Mental Health Awareness Month: Take the Positivity Pledge
The end of the school year is right around the corner and it brings an exciting time for change and new chapters in students' lives. Erika's Lighthouse recognizes this may also be a stressful and overwhelming...
Promoting Student Thriving by Connecting SEL and Mental Health By: Karen VanAusdal
Where It Begins For many districts, the path they follow into a more systemic approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) begins with concerns for their students (and adults’) mental wellness. This is both a logical connection as well as a narrow view of SEL. ...
Why Educators Must Focus on Student Mental Health
By: Stephanie Morris
Erika's Lighthouse at SHAPE Florida I heard an amazing presentation on Erika’s Lighthouse curriculum at a conference hosted by SHAPE Florida, the state organization for physical and health education K-12...
Schools Can Address Mental Health Smarter, Better, Easier
Another study. Another confirmation that our youth are struggling with their or their peers' mental health. In fact, student mental health experiences are now dramatically, and negatively,...
Skills-Based Health Education Beyond the Classroom
By: Holly Alperin and Sarah Benes
Holly Alperin, Ed.M, MCHES, has worked for over 20 years in public health and education. Currently she works at the University of...
Erika’s Lighthouse Update on Adolescent Mental Health: February 2023
In February 2023, the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows alarming data on the mental health emergency our children are facing. In the past 12 months: However, the CDC found school connectedness has a...
The Importance of Reaching Out to a Trusted Adult
Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation My Story I have always been someone who is afraid of reaching out for help. However, that had to change when at the end of freshman year I reached a point where I could not...
Utilizing Tier 1 Universal Supports and Practices to Provide Mental Health Education to All
By: Nancy Watson, LCSW, CADC
Nancy Watson (LCSW, CADC) is a psychotherapist at Lake Forest Wellness (Lake Forest, Illinois) specializing in...
The Power of Programs with Impact Part IV: School Policy & Staff Development
Does the school policy at your school account for students who may be experiencing mental health challenges? Do staff know how to be trusted adults? How do your current school policy and staff training create an inclusive school environment around mental health? About...
SEL and Mental Health Education Build on One Another
By: Kristy Rauch, MA
Serving Students with SEL During a recent conversation with a colleague who is in charge of social-emotional learning (SEL) for a large school district, we wondered how schools would respond to this question,...
Educators Speak Out for Erika’s Lighthouse
New Professional Community Ambassadors program is up and running! Our newly launched Professional Community Ambassadors (PCA) program brings together volunteers nationwide to help Erika’s Lighthouse reach more youth. This group of dedicated professionals is made up of...
How Culture Affects Mental Health
By: Patricia Voloschin-Weiner, LCPC
Patricia Voloschin-Weiner, LCPC has been working as a therapist with...
Strategies to Take Care of Your Mental Health By: Evangeline Topete
The Basics “You’re not alone,” a phrase so simple yet it’s the hardest to grasp when struggling with mental health. It’s what I like to call, “the golden rule” of mental health. Whether it’s you who's battling...
The Power of Programs with Impact
Part III: Family Engagement
Do the family members of your district have the tools and knowledge they need to recognize signs of depression? Are they trusted adults who can address mental health? Do they know where to get help for their students or other teens in the community? Who We Are...
The Power of Programs with Impact
Part II: Teen Empowerment
When you look at the teens at your school, do you see empowered students who know they can build the school culture they aspire to thrive in? When given the right resources and tools, teens can feel empowered to make changes in their community. Peer-led programming is...
Erika’s Lighthouse Program Report 2021-22
How many students did Erika's Lighthouse reach this past school year? Erika’s Lighthouse is reaching more students than ever with our evidence-informed programs and resources. Our programs impact students, educators, and families, so everyone has the knowledge and...
SADD and Erika’s Lighthouse Partnership
STUDENTS AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE DECISIONS (SADD) TO PROVIDE ITS CLUB MEMBERS WITH RESOURCES FROM ERIKA’S LIGHTHOUSE TO DEFEAT THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Winnetka, Ill., November 3, 2022 – Erika’s Lighthouse announced today that it will provide its Teen...