National Report: Youth Help-Seeking Around Mental Health
A nationwide outcome analysis evaluating pre- and post-program survey data from over 33,000 students across 515 U.S. schools, measuring the impact of Erika’s Lighthouse Tier-1 universal programs on youth help-seeking behaviors, adult trust, and stigma reduction.
Key Takeaways
- 12% Increase in School Help-Seeking Comfort: After completing Erika’s Lighthouse classroom programming, the percentage of students comfortable speaking with a trusted adult at school about mental health jumped from 38% to 50%.
- 23% Drop in Student Discomfort: The proportion of students reporting feeling "uncomfortable" speaking with a trusted adult fell by 23% overall (from 21% down to 16%).
- Closing Gaps in High-Need Schools: Students in predominantly Black (+12%) and Hispanic (+15%) schools saw even larger increases in identifying potential trusted adults compared to predominantly White schools (+10%).
- Equal Impact in Title I Settings: Erika's Lighthouse programs equally impacted students in Title I and non-Title I schools, helping close baseline disparities in identifying supportive school adults.
- Families are the Primary Anchors: 96% of students identified a parent or grandparent as a trusted adult, and over 75% felt comfortable discussing mental health at home.
Why This Matters
Adolescent mental distress continues to rise, with 40% of high schoolers reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness. While early intervention is critical, many young people remain uncomfortable reaching out for help.
This nationwide report provides actionable insights into breaking down those barriers:
- Tier-1 Universal Education Works: Proves that brief, classroom-based mental health literacy normalizes help-seeking and expands students' awareness of supportive adults in their lives.
- Compound Impact of Annual Programming: Schools that implemented Erika’s Lighthouse for two or more consecutive years reported lower rates of student discomfort than first-time schools, proving the value of persistent messaging.
- The Power of Whole-School Connectedness: Highlighting that 5.2% of youth report having no trusted adult underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, schoolwide initiatives that combine classroom lessons with family engagement and peer-led clubs.
Erika's Lighthouse Works
The evaluation analyzed 18,077 pre-program surveys and 15,271 post-program surveys collected during the 2021–2024 school years across 515 urban, suburban, rural, public, charter, and private schools (Grades 5–12):
| Measured Outcome Domain | Pre-Program | Post-Program | Net Change / Impact PDF |
| Comfort Talking at School | 38% | 50% |
+12% increase in student comfort speaking with school staff. |
| Comfort Talking in Community | 18% | 28% |
+10% increase in comfort speaking with community adults. |
| Student Discomfort Level | 21% | 16% |
23% reduction in overall student discomfort. |
| Identifying Counselors as Trusted | 84% | 92% |
+8% increase in recognizing school counselors. |
| Identifying Coaches as Trusted | 72% | 86% |
+14% increase in recognizing athletic coaches. |
Strategic Recommendations for Schools
Based on this data, Erika’s Lighthouse outlines key recommendations for school communities:
- Implement Universal Tier-1 Prevention: Universal mental health literacy establishes a shared vocabulary and improves Tier-2/Tier-3 intervention efficiency.
- Foster Inclusive School Cultures: Pair classroom instruction with peer-led Empowerment Clubs, Family Engagement Workbooks, and Staff Policy Training.
- Elevate Student Voice & Representation: Ensure program videos and discussions feature diverse youth stories so all students see themselves represented.
- Equip Families as Trusted Adults: Provide parents and caregivers with turn-key tools to continue mental health conversations at home.
Authors & Expert Advisory Contributors
This report was published by Erika’s Lighthouse leadership in consultation with a multidisciplinary panel of mental health, nursing, and education scholars.
| Contributor | Title / Affiliation |
| Brandon Combs, MNA |
Author — Executive Director, Erika’s Lighthouse |
| Katie Conklin, M.Ed. |
Author — Vice President of Programs, Erika’s Lighthouse |
| Emily Graybill, PhD, NCSP |
Contributor — Associate Professor, Rutgers University |
| Tali Raviv, PhD |
Contributor — Director of School Mental Health, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago |
| Mark A. Reinecke, PhD |
Contributor — Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University |
| Tim Dohrer, PhD |
Contributor — Director of Educator Partnerships, Northern Illinois University |
| Dana M. Anderson, MSN, APRN |
Contributor — Rush University College of Nursing / Tapestry 360 Health |
Access the Paper
Citation: Erika's Lighthouse. (2024). Youth Help-Seeking Around Mental Health: Promoting early identification through school-based mental health education. http://www.erikaslighthouse.org/help24
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