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.
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
Erika's Lighthouse is dedicated to adolescent mental health and our mission of ensuring no young person ever feels alone in their depression. In February 2023, the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows alarming...
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...
Reframing the Narrative – Empowering Youth
We have heard so much about everyone’s declining mental health - particularly our young people. In our effort to bring attention to this challenge, are we unintentionally doing more harm? In a recent opinion...
Mental Health Education: The Power of Programs with Impact
Erika's Lighthouse Core Value Series Part 1: Classroom Education Do you think students would benefit from depression and mental health education in your community? According to the Pew Research Center, the number of teens experiencing depression has increased by 59%...
A Partnership Between Erika’s Lighthouse and School Day
Chicago, Ill., September 6, 2022 – Erika’s Lighthouse and School Day announced a partnership today to collaborate and cross-promote their resources to promote a culture of positive mental health and well-being among students in grades 4-12. Erika’s Lighthouse is a...
Lady Gaga’s Foundation Supports Erika’s Lighthouse
Before Lady Gaga took the stage for her long-awaited concert at Wrigley Field, the star’s foundation showed support for a Chicago-area nonprofit. NBC 5’s Jen DeSalvo reports.