Katie Conklin Vice President of Programs

What Should a Tier 1 School Mental Health Approach Include?

What Should a Tier 1 School Mental Health Approach Include? A strong Tier 1 school mental health approach includes universal strategies that promote mental health literacy...

What Is Mental Health Literacy for Students? A Guide for K–12 Schools

What Is Mental Health Literacy for Students? Mental health literacy is the knowledge, understanding, and skills students need to recognize mental health challenges, reduce...

7 Ways Schools Can Encourage Student Help-Seeking

Why Student Help-Seeking Matters Young people spend a significant portion of their lives at school, making schools an important setting for mental health education,...

How to Help School Staff Become Trusted Adults for Students

For many students, having a trusted adult at school can make it easier to ask for help when they are struggling with their mental health. But being a trusted adult is about...

How to Choose a School Mental Health Curriculum

What Works in School Mental Health? Lessons From Reaching 1.7 Million Students Annually

Since 2004, Erika's Lighthouse has partnered with more than 6,200 schools and directly impacted more than 5.5 million students. What began as a local effort has grown into...

School Transition Stress: How Educators Can Help

Transitioning to a new school often causes stress and anxiety because students are navigating unfamiliar environments, new social dynamics, increased academic expectations,...

How Screen Time Affects Teen Mental Health: A Guide for Balance

In an era where digital devices are completely integrated into academic and social lives, finding a healthy equilibrium is one of the most critical challenges facing families...

How School Staff Can Spot and Support Burned-Out High Achievers

In today’s competitive academic landscape, high-achieving students often carry immense pressure to perform. Whether it’s earning perfect grades, securing scholarships, or...

4 Free and Affordable Ways to Support Student Mental Health

In today’s fast-paced academic environment, mental health has become a primary concern for students of all ages. From middle schoolers facing social pressures to high...

When Kids Say “I’m Fine”: How to Recognize Hidden Youth Mental Health Struggles

Many parents have heard it before. You ask how your child is doing, and the response comes quickly and quietly: “I’m fine.” But something feels off. Maybe their mood has...

How Nutrition Impacts Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being

What children eat doesn’t just affect their physical growth; it plays a crucial role in how their brains function, how they feel, and how they cope with stress. According to...

How to Help Children or Teens with Low Self-Esteem: Strategies That Work

Self-esteem plays a crucial role in a young person’s emotional, social, and academic development. When children or teens struggle with low self-esteem, they may experience...

How to Recognize Depression in Teens: Signs Every Parent and Teachers Should Know

Adolescence is a time of immense growth, but for many, it is also when symptoms of depression first appear. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in...

Simple Breathing Techniques Teachers Can Use in the Classroom

6 Simple Breathing Techniques for the Classroom 1. The 4-7-8 Technique Popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil, this method acts as a "natural tranquilizer" for the nervous system.

How Social Media Impacts Teen Mental Health

In today’s digital age, social media is a central part of daily life for teenagers. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) offer vital spaces...

How Can I Tell if My Teen is Depressed or Just Being a Teen?

Understanding Adolescent Depression Adolescence is a period of significant physical and emotional change, which can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish between...

School Refusal and Depression: How to Help Your Child Get Back to Class

Understanding the Root of School Refusal It is not uncommon for a child or teen with depression to avoid or refuse to go to school. This behavior can be disruptive...

Reducing Mental Health Stigma for Students and Children | Mental Health Matter: A podcast with LeeAnn Trotter, Katie Conklin, and Candice Florance

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...

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

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White Paper: Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention

Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention: Model Language, Commentary, and Resources is the recognized policy for effective district-level engagement for suicide...