OUR MISSION
How Do We Promote Our Mission?
At Erika's Lighthouse we are dedicated to raising awareness about adolescent depression and mental health for young people. At the core of our mission is the Red Flags Program, a Comprehensive Adolescent Depression Awareness Program for middle school students.
The Red Flags curriculum provides materials for students, parents, and teachers about the signs and symptoms of depression, and the benefits and techniques of early intervention. It encourages a school community to rise above stigma by freely talking about, and seeking help for this illness when needed. (www.redflags.org). The program includes training school personnel to implement the program, an all-staff awareness workshop, and seminars for parents and communities.
The center of the curriculum is a 45- minute video called "Claire's Story," about thirteen year old Claire, her struggle with depression and how she got well. The material is designed to help students understand mental illness as a treatable brain disorder and to recognize the warning signs.
Erika's Lighthouse provides schools with this curriculum free of charge. Additionally, if feasible, we provide the in-service training needed to implement the program, also free of charge. (www.clairesstory.org)
In addition, our Teen Board and Teen Panel are active in fighting the stigma of depression by providing outreach and educational presentations to students, teachers, and mental health staff.
We strongly believe that early identification and intervention can help young people get the help they need to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives.
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