Making mental health education a priority in schools isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential. This podcast episode focuses on the effectiveness of Erika’s Lighthouse programs: from classroom education to empowerment clubs, to how to have supportive conversations if you are concerned about a young person in your life. This real-life conversation with Katie Conklin, VP of Programs and Candice Florance, Kinetic Wellness Educator at Washburne Middle School, discussed how Erika’s Lighthouse is breaking down the stigma surrounding youth mental health.
Classroom Education:
Erika’s Lighthouse classroom education programs, for students in grades 4-12, educate students about mental health, depression education, suicide prevention, help-seeking skills and positive coping strategies. Candice Florance shared her personal experience implementing these programs at Washburne Middle School. She explained how the curriculum provides kids with age-appropriate ways to understand their own feelings, spot signs of depression in themselves and their friends, and, most importantly, know exactly how to access a trusted adult.
Empowerment Clubs:
Erika’s Lighthouse is not just about classroom education; it’s about changing a school culture. One way schools can change their culture is through an empowerment club, a student-led initiative focused on promoting good mental health. The goal is for students to reduce stigma, spread positivity and learn what it means to be a trusted peer.
Warning Signs of Depression:
Erika’s Lighthouse believes that Depression Education IS suicide Prevention. Knowing the warning signs of depression was a topic that was discussed.
Symptoms such as:
a sad or depressed mood
loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
changes in appetite, trouble sleeping
loss of energy or fatigue
increase in purposeless physical activity
- feelings of hopelessness or guilt
- difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
*The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Supportive Conversations:
Just as we empower young people to take charge of their mental health, we encourage adults to have supportive conversations if they are noticing changes in a young person’s behavior. The formula for this conversation is “I notice, I care, how can I help?”. The conversation should end with an action, something like “I’ll check back on Friday”, an action that allows the young person to know the door is always open for further communication.
By making mental health education a priority, fostering supportive school cultures through initiatives like empowerment clubs, and equipping both students and educators with the tools to recognize depression, Erika’s Lighthouse is actively dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health. Their free, accessible programs empower young people to take charge of their mental health, ensuring that no young person feels alone in their depression. Because when it comes to mental well-being, every conversation, every lesson, and every supportive action truly matters.
