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2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Program Impact Report: Turning Hope Into Action

During the 2025-26 school year, Erika's Lighthouse reached more than 1.7 million young people in 5,400+ schools across all 50 states and 38 countries. Every program was free.

This report shows who we reached, what students learned, and how they put it into action.

2025-2026 Program Report
THE YEAR AT A GLANCE

One school year. Free to every school.

1.7M+

Youth directly impacted

5,400+

Schools Reached

50

States

38

Countries

REACHING STUDENTS EVERYWHERE

Removing Barriers Is Part of the Model

High-quality mental health education shouldn't depend on a school's budget or zip code. That’s why every Erika’s Lighthouse program is 100% free. And it’s working: this year, 86% of partner schools returned, and more than half of all schools we served were Title I.

Scale matters. So does who gets reached.  

2,432

New schools

3,271

Returning schools (86% retention)

3,101

Title 1 schools served

54.7%

Students eligible for free lunch

THE EVIDENCE OF IMPACT

What Students Learned

Across more than 50,000 post-program surveys in our middle and high school classroom curricula (Levels II & III), students demonstrated clear gains in mental health literacy, help-seeking confidence, and school connection:  

90% 

of students can identify signs of depression.

95% 

of students believe we should be talking about mental health.

96% 

of students know how to seek help for a friend in crisis.

+11% 

more students named a teacher as a trusted adult.

2025-26 MILESTONES

From Program Delivery to Program Growth

SPRC (300 x 300 px)

National 

Recognition

Our School Staff Training was added to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's Best Practice Registry as an Approved Program.

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New State Endorsements

 An additional 5 state Departments of Education officially approved Erika's Lighthouse programs this year.

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New Resources

 We launched Family Toolbox, introduced nationwide Mental Health Learning Standards, and updated Empowerment Club Leadership Trainings. 

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Stronger Data

 Schools completed more than 100,000 pre-tests and 62,810 post-tests, a 20% increase over last year.

Download the Full Report

 Share it with your board, your school team, or anyone who believes every student deserves good mental health.