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.
CDC Report on Youth Mental Health: The Erika’s Lighthouse Perspective
In April, the CDC published a report on youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics are grim. But the survey also offers hope. Teens who feel connected at school report much lower...
The Erika’s Lighthouse Perspective to the CDC’s Recent Youth Survey on School Connectedness and Mental Health
An examination of the mental health impact of COVID-19 and how connectedness to school, family, friends and community groups impact mental health outcomes. Please note: Numbers represent the highlighted annotations on this CDC report. The Erika’s Lighthouse programs...
10 Advantages of Erika’s Lighthouse
Our programs can work in any school community. 1. Wraparound Programming We don't just offer a standalone curriculum, we believe in impacting the whole school by promoting inclusive school cultures through our four pillars of programs - Classroom Education, Teen...
Erika’s Lighthouse, A Year in Review
As we near the end of 2021, we’re able to review yet another impactful year. At Erika’s Lighthouse, we’ve always determined our success based on our team’s ability to help young people address their mental health issues. Everyone deserves good mental health. Through...
Helping Communities Address the Surgeon General’s Advisory
Youth mental health challenges have been on the rise over the past several years, however the ongoing pandemic has added a renewed sense of urgency. Adolescents were already feeling isolated prior to the pandemic and this only increased beginning in March 2020. We...
Seasonal Affective Disorder & Depression: Conversations Around “The Winter Blues”
As gloomy winter weather begins, kids and young adults may feel the effects of the changing seasons. While some may have the “winter blues,” others may experience Season Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression exacerbated by the lack of sunlight enjoyed during...
How Schools Can Promote Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Teenage Depression
Educators are often the first to notice mental health issues in children. That’s why throughout the month of October, we observe National Depression Education & Awareness Month, which aims to recognize signs, symptoms and treatments of depression. Depression among...
2020-21 School Yearbook
Check out our latest school-year Annual Report: the Yearbook. 2020-21 Yearbook Annual Report
Art Auction Benefits Winnetka Youth Mental Health Nonprofit
WINNETKA, IL — A Glencoe-based artist is using her work to support a local nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about teen mental health and depression. Angelina Vivant has collaborated with Winnetka-based Erika's Lighthouse to auction off an oil...
Erika’s Lighthouse: A Shining Light for Childhood-Teen Depression
Erika’s Lighthouse: A Shining Light For Childhood-Teen Depression Kiwanis International, Local Nonprofit Establish Partnership By Denise Fleischer | on September 01, 2021 You can view the article HERE Kiwanis International recently announced a new partnership with...
Start the year with Erika’s Lighthouse – Back in School
After a year like no other, students and faculty are getting ready to go back to school. We understand that the end of the summer and the start of the school year can be stressful for students under normal conditions, and this year may add additional challenges. We...
Join Us On Our Journey of Change
Erika’s Lighthouse is proud to announce a change to our programs for the 2021-22 School Year. Our Program Realignment initiative will create more integration between our programs to maximize efficiency and effectiveness that supports real cultural change in schools.We...
Five Reasons To Start A Teen Empowerment Club
An Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Empowerment Club is a school club that empowers and educates to eliminate stigma. In a Teen Empowerment Club, students are given a chance to make a difference in their school and normalize mental illness, promote good mental health and build...
Kiwanis and Key Club International Partner With Erika’s Lighthouse
We are excited to partner with Kiwanis International and Key Clubs around the world to bring mental health awareness to school communities everywhere! When was the last time you had a conversation with your...
5 Reasons Your School Needs Erika’s Lighthouse Free Programming
Mental illness and suicide are closely connected. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “90% of young people who die of suicide have a mental health condition at the time of their death”. This demonstrates that suicide prevention programming...
Depression Education IS Suicide Prevention
One of the unique aspects of Erika’s Lighthouse programming is that we believe that depression education is suicide awareness and prevention. When Erika’s Lighthouse began, conversations around good mental health were rarely if ever discussed in the classroom. Our...
Raise Awareness for Teen Mental Health
Erika’s Lighthouse has grown in the past 17 years from providing mental health education to a few suburban Chicago schools to now providing a comprehensive mental health education program to more than 1 million students nationwide. The Erika’s Lighthouse community...
Introducing Simple Summer Positivity Practices
It’s summer break time! It can be a huge relief to have the day-to-day pressures of the school year behind you. At the same time, summer’s looser structure can sometimes leave you feeling lonely or out of sorts. The Erika’s Lighthouse community knows that positive...