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
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,...
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.
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...
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 schedule 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.
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 EFFORTSStudents advocate for education and awareness in the classroom and among their peers and families. |
POSITIVITY PROMOTORSSpread a little sunshine and positivity around the school to boost moods and put smiles on faces. |
MINDFUL MOMENTSMindfulness, relaxation, & opportunities to think about how moods and attitudes allow for more connected schools. |
EDUCATION EFFORTSEducation is key to reducing stigma and raising awareness. Knowledge is power! |
YOU ARE NOT ALONE REMINDERSHelp students identify who they can talk with and how to find help if in need of support. |
VIRTUAL & SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES AND VIDEOSPost 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.
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.