About Erika's Lighthouse

Depression education programming from Erika’s Lighthouse available for remote learning in the 2020-21 school year 

January 5, 2021

Erika’s Lighthouse announced today that throughout the 2020 – 2021 school year, its free depression education programming has been made available for remote learning, hybrid environments, and the traditional classroom setting.

Erika’s Lighthouse Updates Its Depression Education Programming To Meet National Health Education Standards

August 25, 2020

Erika’s Lighthouse announced today, together with Cairn Guidance, the release of the newly-developed National Health Education Standards version of depression education programs for middle and high schools. This new program is now available on the Resource Portal and joins the library of existing classroom programs.

Erika’s Lighthouse Wins the 2020 Community Builder Award From the Child Mind Institute

July 16, 2020

Erika’s Lighthouse announced today that it is the winner of the 2020 Community Builder Award from the Child Mind Institute as part of its annual Change Maker Awards.

The Positivity Pledge from Erika’s Lighthouse Brings Out the Fun in Mental Health Empowerment

April 29, 2020

Erika’s Lighthouse, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, promoting good mental health, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues, announced today that it is encouraging everyone to take the Positivity Pledge in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Erika’s Lighthouse on WBBM Radio

March 27, 2020

Erika’s Lighthouse Executive Director Brandon Combs was interviewed on Chicago’s WBBM Radio to address the need to support teens during this unprecedented time of school cancellations. Listen to the clip here. 

Erika’s Lighthouse Launches “We’re in this Together” Campaign

March 24, 2020

Erika’s Lighthouse is launching the “We’re In This Together” campaign to empower teens who feel isolated and alone during this unprecedented health crisis. It provides practical, meaningful tools to support teens through these uncertain times when many people around the world are self-isolating. These resources are available at www.erikaslighthouse.org/together.

Webinar: Shine Light On Depression

Shine Light on Depression is a unique collaboration of organizations committed to raising awareness of depression and preventing suicide among young people. Our Director of Education, Ilana Sherman, teamed up with the American School Health Association (ASHA) and the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to promote this collaboration. 

View the webinar here.  The presentation slides may be viewed here. 

Erika’s Lighthouse Featured on Hubbard Helps

Every Sunday morning, 101.9fm The MIX presents special public affairs programming to address the issues and concerns facing the people of Chicago and its surrounding communities. Rather than focus on the problems we like to emphasize the solutions, so our locally-produced Hubbard Helps features conversations with Chicago-area officials, experts, and every day citizens who are working to make a difference in our communities. 

Listen to this podcast. Our Executive Director, Brandon Combs is interviewed by Susan Wiencek of Hubbard Helps.

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance will hold the conference between Thursday, February 20 and Saturday, February 22 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA. Staff from Erika’s Lighthouse will be at booth 305 and can discuss its free depression education programs.

Erika’s Lighthouse Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary Gala

March 4, 2019

Erika’s Lighthouse, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to announced today that it will be holding a celebratory event to celebrate its 15th Anniversary on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m.

Midday Fix: Depression education – expert advice on how to help teens and kids recognize the signs

WGN Midday News, August 15, 2018

Ginny and Tom Neuckranz, Co-founders and Board Members of Erika’s Lighthouse and Heather Freed, the executive director of Erika’s Lighthouse, visited WGN’s studios to talk about the importance of depression education in schools.

Erika’s Lighthouse Helps Hope Grow

By Libby Elliott, The North Shore Weekend, April 28, 2018

Heather Freed always knows what to expect at the office in the days following a local or national tragedy involving teenagers.

“We see an uptick in people reaching out to us,” said Freed, executive director of Erika’s Lighthouse, the Winnetka-based non-profit founded nearly 15 years ago to educate school communities about teen depression. “It’s typically teachers, education administrators or kids wanting to start a discussion about the issue of depression in their school. Unfortunately, tragedy is sometimes the trigger that motivates them.”

Getting Depression Out of the Dark

By Alice York, Sheridan Road Magazine, April 1, 2018

What began as a parent’s response to a daughter’s tragic battle with depression has blossomed into Erika’s Lighthouse, a Winnetka-based organization armed with a passion to empower young people and those around them with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and cope with depression. Its annual gala, on Saturday, May 12, is what helps make it all possible.

Bremen High School Teams up with Erika’s Lighthouse to Discuss Teen Depression

By Bremen District 228, Patch Contributor, Oak Forest Patch, September 26, 2017 

Bremen High School Social Workers, in conjunction with P.E. teachers, have teamed up for a two-day presentation in all BHS freshmen Heath classes entitled, “Teen Depression: Stories of Hope & Health.” This marks the third year of District 228’s collaboration with Erika’s Lighthouse, a non-profit organization focused on depression awareness and suicide prevention.

Some Schools Warn Families about Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why”

By Vince Gerasole, CBS News, April 24, 2017

Read and watch the news story in which Executive Director Heather Freed addresses the many questions on how to talk about “13 Reasons Why.”

GBN Holds Fundraiser to Raise Awareness of Youth Depression, Suicide Prevention 

By Karie Angell Luc, The Northbrook Star, June 29, 2016

“The annual GBN Fundraiser Tournament at Techny Prairie Park & Fields in Northbrook drew an estimated 250 people on June 26 to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention among youth. In its fourth year, the event raised $1,600 to benefit Erika’s Lighthouse of Winnetka and TotalLink2 Community of Northbrook.”