Teen Empowerment

Erika’s Lighthouse believes that teens, when given the right tools, can change the world. That is why we offer Teen Empowerment Clubs and Awareness into Action Activities that help teens empower one another around mental health, depression and suicide awareness.

School Clubs

Teen Empowerment Clubs offer teens the structure and support to take a leadership role in their school around mental health. Every school can benefit from a good mental health club.

The Tools to Speak Up

Awareness into Action Activities are the engines of change for schools around the world. These easy-to-implement campaigns help teens find their voice to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote help-seeking.

True Empowerment

Together, our Teen Empowerment Clubs and Awareness into Action Activities empower teens to speak up and change the world – creating a culture of good mental health for the whole school community.

What Teen-Led Initiatives Can Accomplish

Student-powered awareness and dialogue is the most effective way to encourage communication and reduce the stigma of mental illness.

When students talk, other students listen. Teens highlighting the importance of learning about mental health shows their peers that there is nothing to be ashamed of. It demonstrates that those suffering from mental illness don’t have to hide. They can talk, they can get help, and they can live.

That’s what awareness does. When it comes from other teens, it is our most powerful tool. We’re proud to help students start a Teen Empowerment Club in their school, lead Awareness into Action Activities, and use their voice to Get Depression Out of the Dark.

Recent Blogs

2020-21 School Yearbook

Check out our latest school-year Annual Report: the Yearbook. 2020-21 Yearbook Annual Report

Program Realignment to Create Cultural 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...

White Paper: Integrating Mental Health into the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Model for School Health

Download the PDF > Abstract The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC, pronounced “wisk”) Model is an ideal framework for school communities to assess, plan and implement healthy...

Teen Empowerment Clubs

We offer two Teen Club opportunities: Official Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Empowerment Clubs or Affiliate Clubs

Teen Empowerment Clubs

Official Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Empowerment Clubs give students a chance to make a difference in their school and normalize mental illness, promote positive mental health and build a culture of inclusiveness throughout the year.

We support official Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Empowerment Clubs through:

Club T-Shirts for members & sponsors
Co-branded, customizable materials
Discussion board with a national network of clubs
Newsletters and other communication throughout the year
Over 50 Awareness into Action Activities to implement virtually or in-person
Up to $250 in grant money for meetings & activities ($50 reimbursement/activity)

Affiliate Clubs

Affiliate Clubs are existing school clubs, like a Good Mental Health Club or Key Club, that can leverage our resources and activities.

We support Affiliate Clubs through:

Newsletters and other communication throughout the year
Over 50 Awareness into Action Activities to implement virtually or in-person

Want to be an official Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Empowerment Club?

Starting is as easy as 1-2-3!

Determine a school advisor/sponsor(s) for the club
Make sure to read our easy-to-implement guide on How to Start a Teen Club
Contact Ilana Sherman to let her know that you are interested in starting an official Teen Empowerment Club
Recruit students to join the club and attend a Kickoff meeting
Hold the Kickoff meeting
Lead your first Awareness into Action Activity

We are here to help you every step of the way.

Want to be an Affiliate Club?

Make sure to read our easy-to-implement guide on How to Start a Teen Club
Contact Ilana Sherman to let her know that you are interested in being an Affiliate Club

Break the silence. Start a Teen Empowerment Club.

We’re ready to help educators, faculty, staff, and especially teens empower one another and help them feel comfortable talking about mental health. Contact Ilana Sherman, Director of Education, at [email protected] for the next steps.

Starting a Club Guidebook

Awareness into Action Activities are Impactful

There are over 50 Awareness into Action Activities that look like whatever the teens feel is the best way to raise their voices. Activities have been broken into categories so schools can mix them up and have different focuses. In-person as well as virtual activities are available.

ADVOCACY EFFORTS

Students advocate for education and awareness in the classroom and among their peers and families.

POSITIVITY PROMOTORS

Spread a little sunshine and positivity around the school to boost moods and put smiles on faces.

MINDFUL MOMENTS

Mindfulness, relaxation, & opportunities to think about how moods and attitudes allow for more connected schools.

EDUCATION EFFORTS

Education is key to reducing stigma and raising awareness. Knowledge is power!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE REMINDERS

Help students identify who they can talk with and how to find help if in need of support.

VIRTUAL & SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES AND VIDEOS

Post these images and videos on social media to encourage good mental health

Some Awareness into Action Activities include:

Creating and displaying positivity, encouragement and compliment posters
Making and delivering holiday cards
Assembling and distributing finals week goodie-bags to fellow students
Making educational table tents for the lunchroom

The only limit to a school’s awareness activities is imagination. And the outcome is always hope. Erika’s Lighthouse creates and shares activities that were developed by other Teen Empowerment Clubs around the country – enabling you the opportunity to easily replicate effective initiatives.

We saw a need for education on the topic of mental health and we thought that [promoting] a positive learning environment was necessary. One of the club leaders had heard of an awesome club from her brother who had a great experience being part of Erika’s Lighthouse at another school. The club has grown to include many members, all of whom are very excited to help the cause. This is the first time Whitney Young has had a club like Erika’s Lighthouse and we are excited to keep benefiting from the amazing message – we need to Get Depression Out of the Dark.

Chloe

Erika's Lighthouse Teen Club Student, Whitney Young High School

Break the silence. Begin changing your school’s culture today with an Awareness into Action Activity.

We’re ready to help educators, faculty, staff, and especially teens start awareness activities that help them create meaningful conversations and empathy surrounding mental health.

Create An Account