Give Voice
for Suicide Prevention
Kick-off the year with a campaign to promote good mental health, help-seeking and an inclusive school culture!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
End your school year with messages about good mental health by challenging staff and students to take the pledge to put some good in the world for 31 days.
Welcome !
Thank you for being a champion for mental health for your family. Our resources are designed to be used by schools to promote an inclusive school culture around mental health. We establish shared vocabulary and values between educators, students and families. But, our Family Engagement materials are designed for you – so please use them.
Thank you for supporting your young person.
Important Updates
NEW Teen Training Modules for Teen Empowerment! Located in the Teen Empowerment Clubs section below, students in your school(s) can watch the videos to complete the training in three parts: Mental Health & Feelings, Being a Trusted Peer, and How to be a Mental Health Leader. Each module is 10-15 minutes in length.
NEW Teen Empowerment Club Info Webinar Listen to this webinar to learn about how you can start a Teen Empowerment Club, the benefits of a club, and more! Vimeo | YouTube
Students Needed for New Level II Video! Erika's Lighthouse will be creating a new Level II video this year and we are asking for your help to identify students to submit applications. We will use the stories of up to seven middle school or high school students who have had experience with depression and are willing and comfortable to share their story on film. Filming will take place this summer in students' hometowns. To learn about the application process, click here and share with any student who you think might be a fit. If you have any questions, please email katie@erikaslighthouse.org. We look forward to creating a new video for our school partners!
The Four Pillars:Â Check out our new section below, The Four Pillars, which highlights how schools can incorporate all four of our primary offerings (Classroom Education, Teen Empowerment, Family Engagement and Staff Development) to truly make a change in their communities in the area of mental health.
Collaboration Station: Use the Erika's Lighthouse Collaboration Station to collaborate, share, discuss and support mental health in schools.
Family Engagement
Erika's Lighthouse equips school communities to effectively and meaningfully engage and educate families, parents and caregivers. Educators and school professionals can leverage these workbooks, workshops and resources so families can be ready and prepared to be mental health partners at home.
Family Engagement & Education
Educate and engage parents, caregivers and families to create truly inclusive and supportive school cultures.
The Family Engagement program was updated through a generous grant from the Imagine Learning Foundation.
Community Ambassadors
The Erika's Lighthouse Community Ambassadors are dedicated volunteers and organizations helping spread awareness about Erika's Lighthouse free resources to school communities around the country.
You can learn more and register to become a Community Ambassador today.
Training1. Introduction:Â PDF Process Overview:Â PDF MARKETING |
ResourcesEmail Template to Schools:Â Google Doc Parent Handbook on Childhood and Teen Depression FLYERS & HANDOUTS |
Below are even more resources designed for school communities. Feel free to take a look at how our other programs can be used in your school to help empower teens, educate staff, and engage families. Together we can normalize conversations, reduce stigma, promote good mental health and encourage help-seeking.
Four Pillar Implementation - Inclusive School Culture
School Culture FrameworkNEW! Erika's Lighthouse has adopted a School Culture Framework model promoted by Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell, PhD from the National Institute for Urban School Leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Check in with a member of our education team to get started promoting your own inclusive school culture today. Four Pillar ImplementationThe Four Pillar Implementation Guide offers schools the opportunity to deliver school-wide programming to promote a culture of inclusivity around mental health. By utilizing the Erika's Lighthouse Classroom Education, Teen Empowerment, Family Engagement, and Staff Training & Development pillars, school communities can support a culture of good mental health at all levels. Contact Erika's Lighthouse Program Implementation PreparationErika's Lighthouse will provide custom training to schools or districts looking for support in implementing the Four Pillars. Classroom Programs |
Additional ResourcesIntroduction to Erika's Lighthouse Share our ResourcesErika's Lighthouse Printable Flyer |
Classroom Education
Erika's Lighthouse offers three "levels" of programs, each with its own scope and sequences, that districts, schools and educators can use to build shared values and vocabulary around mental health. Classroom Education is the foundation of student-facing understanding to recognize the signs & symptoms of depression, promote good mental health and encourage help-seeking.
Implementation Support
For DistrictsImplementation Across Multiple Grades: PDF For EducatorsFour Pillar Scope & Sequence: PDF |
Program EvaluationsOur new pre/post program evaluations are designed to capture a well-rounded perspective of school mental health efforts and the Erika’s Lighthouse classroom education’s role in supporting inclusive school cultures. Data collected can be given to schools and districts upon request, however, please note that this is only available for schools that have had at least 100 students complete surveys for a program. Students |
Level I: We All Have Mental Health (Grades 4-6)
The program covers the difference between everyday feelings vs. overwhelming feelings and promotes good mental health and help-seeking.
Ideal for grades 4-6
Meets the National Health Education Standards #1 ,3, and 7.
In collaboration with the Anna Freud Centre For Children and Families, Erika’s Lighthouse is excited to present We All Have Mental Health.
Level II: Depression Awareness (Grades 5-9)
This program provides an introduction to the topic of depression and promotes good mental health and help-seeking.
Ideal for grades 5-9
Meets the National Health Education Standards #1 ,3, 4 and 7.
Full ProgramDownload the Full Level II Program
Lesson One: Intro to DepressionVideo Segment: Vimeo | YouTube | Google Lesson Two: Depression is TreatableVideo Segment: Vimeo | YouTube | Google Lesson Three: Help-SeekingVideo Segment Part 1: Vimeo | YouTube | Google Lesson FourFacilitator Instructions
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One-Day LessonBest practice is to use the full four-day lessons above. However, our research has demonstrated an increase in knowledge and help-seeking with only one day.
EvaluationStudent | Teacher | School Mental Health Staff Please note we can only provide results for schools that have at least 100 pre- and/or 100 post-surveys completed. |
Level III: Depression Education & Suicide Awareness (Grades 8-12)
This program covers depression & suicide and promotes good mental health and help-seeking.
Ideal for grades 8-12
Meets the National Health Education Standards #1 and 3.
Full ProgramDownload the Full Level III Program
Lesson OneVideo Segment Lesson 1: Signs & Symptoms Lesson TwoVideo Segment Lesson 2: Self-Care
Slideshow (Google, PPT | Spanish) Lesson ThreeVideo Segment Lesson 3: Getting Help Lesson FourFacilitator Instructions
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One-Day LessonBest practice is to use the full four-day lessons above. However, our research has demonstrated an increase in knowledge and help-seeking with only one day.
EvaluationStudent | Teacher | School Mental Health Staff Please note we can only provide results for schools that have at least 100 pre- and/or 100 post-surveys completed. |
Optional Program Additions
Good Mental HealthManaging Stress Worksheet (Canva | Spanish, Canva) Help-SeekingHelp-Seeking Worksheet Canva |
Depression EducationJeopardy-Style Mental Health Game: A Primer on Depression (Spanish) Collaboration StationEven more amazing resources are available in the Erika's Lighthouse Collaboration Station with educator-created resources, lesson plans and more. Join us > |
Teen Empowerment
Erika's Lighthouse offers opportunities for teens to take on leadership roles in their schools through Teen Empowerment Clubs, Affiliate Clubs and turn-key campaigns called Awareness into Action Activities. These are good mental health clubs that normalize conversations through teen-led conversations by reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking.
Teen Clubs (Official & Affiliate)
Given the right tools, teens can change the world. The Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Clubs are good mental health clubs to educate students, reduce stigma, spread empathy and develop a culture of good mental health in schools.
Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Clubs typically meet weekly or monthly and use Awareness into Action Activities to promote good mental health in their school throughout the year. If you already have an existing good mental health club in your school, join our affiliate club program to access our resources and network with other clubs!
Teen Empowerment Club InformationHow to Get Started Forms T-Shirt Ordering Information & Designs Resources Teen Club FundraisingRainbow Cupcake Bake Sale:Â PDFÂ |Â Canva |
Teen TrainingsTeen Training Flyer: PDF Teen Club RecruitmentGhost Lollipops (October): PDF | Canva Virtual & Social Media Recruitment Student Fundraising CenterStudent Fundraising Center Homepage |
Awareness into Action Activities (Schoolwide)
Check out these school-wide activities that clubs, educators, or families can use. Many were developed by Erika's Lighthouse and other Teen Empowerment Clubs. Click here and see how you can incorporate AAA's all year-long!
School Policy & Staff
Erika's Lighthouse empowers educators, just like students, through education and resources. Students, families and educators deserve good mental health and know they are supported. Staff with good mental health are better equipped to support students. This can be achieved by normalizing mental health and fostering discussions in classrooms.
School Policy & Staff Development
School Culture FrameworkNEW! Erika's Lighthouse has adopted a model promoted by Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell, PhD from the National Institute for Urban School Leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Check in with a member of our education team to get started promoting your own inclusive school culture today. PDF Staff Wellbeing ActivitiesPosters Organization Wide Peer to Peer Individual Growth School Policies & InterventionsModel School District Policy on Suicide Prevention:Â PDF Program EvaluationsOur new pre/post program evaluations are designed to capture a well-rounded perspective of school mental health efforts and the Erika's Lighthouse classroom education's role in supporting inclusive school cultures. Data collected can be given to schools and districts upon request, however, please note that this is only available for schools that have had at least 100 students complete surveys for a program. Students Administrator ResourcesWhite Paper - Integrating Mental Health into the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model for School Health:Â PDFÂ |Â Blog White Paper -Â Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention: Implementing Effective Prevention Strategies:Â PDFÂ |Â Blog Introduction to Erika's Lighthouse Presentation:Â PDF |
All Staff TrainingAll Staff Training - Individuals: PDF All Staff Training - Group: PDF Part 1: Signs & Symptoms Part 2: Overview of Erika's Lighthouse Programs Part 3: Helping A Student Part 4: Classroom Crisis Intervention Part 5: Implementation in Your School More trainings on how to implement Erika's Lighthouse programs: If you are using any staff training, please let our staff know so we can support you and get an accurate number of participants. Share our ResourcesFlyers & Handouts Evidence-Informed ResourcesKelly, Michael S. (2016). The Erika’s Lighthouse Program: Depression Awareness for Middle School Students. Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. Article. Kelly, Michael S. (2019). Depression Education as Primary Prevention: The Erika's Lighthouse School-Based Program for High School Students. Advances in Social Work. Article. |
Key Club & SADD Nation Resources
Become an Affiliate ClubWe believe that teens, when given the right tools, can change the world. Consider becoming an Affiliate Club and get access to over 50 Awareness into Action activities that you can use to break down stigma, promote positivity, and remind your peers that they are not alone. Contact Ilana if you are interested. Advocacy EffortsEducate Peers and Teens: PDF | Canva Mindful MomentsAromatherapy Play Dough: PDF | Canva You Are Not Alone RemindersBeacon of Hope Door Signs: PDF | Canva | Virtual Teen Training VideosModule I: Mental Health & Feelings |
Official Partnership Campaigns and ResourcesSeptember - Suicide Prevention Week May - Mental Health Awareness Month Key Club Peer Presentation
Host a Community EventPositivity PromotersBeacon of Hope Mural: PDF | Canva Education EffortsBe a Lifesaver - Take A Guess: PDF | Canva
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Archived Programs
Depression Awareness for Middle School Students - Original VersionDownload the Full Middle School Program THE MIDDLE SCHOOL VIDEO LESSON ONE LESSON TWO LESSON THREE Modified Middle School Student Workbook |
Depression and Suicide Awareness for High School Students - Original VersionDownload the Full High School Program THE HIGH SCHOOL VIDEO LESSON ONE LESSON TWO LESSON THREE |
Remote Learning ProgramIn collaboration with the Anna Freud Centre For Children and Families, Erika's Lighthouse has created this program so that schools can continue to deliver depression education and lessons on good mental health, even when teaching and learning in remote environments. The Video: English | Spanish | UK Student Bookmark: English (Canva) | Spanish (Canva) Considerations: |
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We Are Here for You
The team at Erika’s Lighthouse is here to support you every step of the way. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Contact Us