When you look at the teens at your school, do you see empowered students who know they can build the school culture they aspire to thrive in? When given the right resources and tools, teens can feel empowered to make changes in their community. Peer-led programming is a highly effective way for teens to build …
The Power of Programs with ImpactPart II: Teen Empowerment Read More »
Do the family members of your district have the tools and knowledge they need to recognize signs of depression? Are they trusted adults who can address mental health? Do they know where to get help for their students or other teens in the community? Who We Are Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization founded in …
The Power of Programs with ImpactPart III: Family Engagement Read More »
Patricia Voloschin-Weiner, LCPC has been working as a therapist with children, adults, and couples for the past 30 years and has addressed a variety of issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, trauma, immigration/acculturation, grief and loss, mental illness, and developmental disabilities. She has served on numerous tasks forces and advisory boards regarding …
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 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 »
The American School Health Association (ASHA) is a national, multidisciplinary professional association that collaborates with Erika’s Lighthouse and others on a mental health initiative – Shine Light on Depression. ASHA’s work centers around connecting health and learning by encouraging collaboration across disciplines within the school and community to ensure that students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. …
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