New Professional Community Ambassadors program is up and running! Our newly launched Professional Community Ambassadors (PCA) program brings together volunteers nationwide to help Erika’s Lighthouse reach more youth. This group of dedicated professionals is made up of school-based educators, social workers, and counselors who have used our programs and strongly believe in the effectiveness of Erika’s Lighthouse. …
Access Programs Serving Students with SEL During a recent conversation with a colleague who is in charge of social-emotional learning (SEL) for a large school district, we wondered how schools would respond to this question, “What services should be provided to the students you serve?” Preparing students to thrive academically might be a top answer; …
SEL and Mental Health Education Build on One Another Read More »
Nancy Watson (LCSW, CADC) is a psychotherapist at Lake Forest Wellness (Lake Forest, Illinois) specializing in working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of presenting concerns. Nancy is passionate about helping clients navigate mental health challenges, manage developmental and life transitions, and achieve their personal goals. Her multifaceted approach incorporates a variety of …
Does the school policy at your school account for students who may be experiencing mental health challenges? Do staff know how to be trusted adults? How do your current school policy and staff training create an inclusive school environment around mental health? About Us Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that is …
The Power of Programs with Impact Part IV:School Policy & Staff Development Read More »
Access Programs Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation My Story I have always been someone who is afraid of reaching out for help. However, that had to change when at the end of freshman year I reached a point where I could not handle everyday life and feelings by myself. My parents were freshly divorced, COVID hit, and …
The Importance of Reaching Out to a Trusted Adult Read More »
Access Programs Erika’s Lighthouse is dedicated to adolescent mental health and our mission of ensuring no young person ever feels alone in their depression. In February 2023, the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows alarming data on the mental health emergency our children are facing. In the past 12 months: However, the CDC found school connectedness has …
Erika’s Lighthouse Update on Adolescent Mental Health: February 2023 Read More »
Holly Alperin, Ed.M, MCHES, has worked for over 20 years in public health and education. Currently she works at the University of New Hampshire preparing health educators within the Department of Kinesiology as a member of the Health and Physical Education faculty. For the 16 years prior, she worked with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary …
Skills-Based Health Education Beyond the Classroom Read More »
Access Portal Another study. Another confirmation that our youth are struggling with their or their peers’ mental health. In fact, student mental health experiences are now dramatically, and negatively, impacting the academic purpose of schools. According to the latest YouthTrust Student Survey, “‘Depression, stress, and anxiety’ is the most prevalent obstacle to learning for secondary students at …
Schools Can Address Mental Health Smarter, Better, Easier Read More »
Access Programs Erika’s Lighthouse at SHAPE Florida I heard an amazing presentation on Erika’s Lighthouse curriculum at a conference hosted by SHAPE Florida, the state organization for physical and health education K-12 teachers in Florida. Rachel Winsten, a high school P.E. teacher presented with passion and spoke about the opportunity through Erika’s Lighthouse. Erika’s Lighthouse offers resources …
Why Educators Must Focus on Student Mental Health Read More »
Access Programs Where It Begins For many districts, the path they follow into a more systemic approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) begins with concerns for their students (and adults’) mental wellness. This is both a logical connection as well as a narrow view of SEL. There are indeed many links between a systemic approach …
Promoting Student Thriving by Connecting SEL and Mental Health Read More »
