Starting conversations early is key. We can normalize mental health.
By talking about mental health, we normalize it – giving us the ability to promote good mental health and encourage help-seeking. We can encourage students, families and schools with the tools to effectively address youth mental health, ending the crisis at its start.
Prevention is more affordable than treatment.
Prevention programs are known to drastically offset the costs of treatment-based programs. The same is true for mental health programs in school. Erika’s Lighthouse programs establish a foundation for shared values and a shared vocabulary between students, families and educators.
Our efforts reduce stigma, normalize conversations, promote good mental health and encourage help-seeking.
Young people are capable of managing their mental health.
Young people are passionate about mental health. They recognize that it is a significant issue among their peers. They are also looking for meaningful coping mechanisms that promote good mental health, identifying trusted peers and adults that will support them. Social media cannot offer them the connectedness and support they need, but our schools, families and community can.
We know when young people know how to support themselves and their friends, they do. We need to educate, equip and empower them.
Early identification and intervention leads to better outcomes.
Students are going to experience mental distress. Mental health is a spectrum and declining mental health needs intervention. But, the early identification and intervention of these challenges offers a unique opportunity. By equipping students and schools the tools to promote good mental health and encourage help-seeking we can achieve that. Students that may need to talk to someone early are better prepared to prevent further distress. We can prevent mental illness, depression and suicidal ideation by working towards good mental health for all.
Universal programs increase the capacity of school staff and clinicians.
If we can prevent students from experiencing mental distress, schools can be more focused on the fewer students that need their help. Equipping students and families with the tools and resources they need to manage their mental health offers a community-focused effort to address the student mental health challenge.
Erika’s Lighthouse programs effectively address the youth mental health crisis.
Our programs and resources are designed to support youth mental health through prevention and early identification. We have the power to equip students, families and school professionals with the tools they need to implement effective programs and supports.
Our free programs are available instantly.
