Red Flags Curriculum to De-stigmatize and Educate on Youth Depression; Discussion with School Leaders Dr. Ray Lechner and Dr. Deanna Reed
Wilmette District 39 and Avoca District 37 joined other area schools this past year by adopting the Red Flags program to introduce mental health and depression education into their middle grades curriculum. Erika's Lighthouse has been working with schools across New Trier Township to implement this nationally-acclaimed program. Communities have seen an increased need to introduce the concept of depression to adolescents at an earlier age. Red Flags was developed by mental health experts in Ohio to provide age-appropriate information on depression and other mental health conditions.
The goal is to help youth to identify early signs of depression, de-stigmatize mental illness, and stimulate dialogue among students, teachers, and parents. Most importantly, the program strives to increase the likelihood that depression among our youth can be recognized and appropriately treated, thereby mitigating more severe consequences such as severe depression or even suicide.
Dr. Ray Lechner, Interim Superintendent, Wilmette District 39 Schools:
"Our district has long considered our students' social and emotional wellness to be a critical part of their educational experience. We were impressed with the underlying research and thoughtfulness of the Red Flags curriculum and were very pleased with our first year's classroom results.
"Looking ahead, we plan to complement these efforts in the classroom with increased parental education and support for the social and emotional wellness of their children. We hope to reach more parents, for example during parent/teacher conferences, on curriculum nights, and in newsletters from principals, so that the many available resources can reach those in need."
Dr. Deanna Reed, Assistant Superintendent of Avoca District 37 and Principal of Marie Murphy School:
"Our district's mission guides us to 'maximize the unique potential of each child we serve', and we see programs like Red Flags helping us to meet the increasingly challenging area of social and emotional wellness. We hope that our efforts, especially at Marie Murphy, translate into high schoolers who are healthier and better able to meet the challenges of their teenage and even adult lives."
|
