Since 2004, Erika's Lighthouse has partnered with more than 6,200 schools and directly impacted more than 5.5 million students. What began as a local effort has grown into the largest depression education and suicide prevention curriculum in the United States, reaching more than 1.7 million students annually across all 50 states.
Over more than two decades, we've learned that building mentally healthy school communities requires more than awareness alone. Students need practical skills, trusted adults, and a culture that supports help-seeking. More than 86,000 educators complete our staff training program annually to help create those environments.
As schools continue to address rising rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and suicide risk among young people, one question continues to emerge:
What actually works when it comes to building a mentally healthy school community?
"The biggest lesson we've learned is that students thrive when mental health becomes part of a school's culture. When young people have the language, skills, and support to talk about mental health openly, they are far more likely to seek help before a crisis occurs. "
— Katie Conklin, VP of Programs, Erika's Lighthouse
Students need more than information.
The most effective mental health education gives students practical skills they can use every day:
Our evaluation data shows that 89% of students demonstrate mental health literacy and 91% report they have the information and ability to take care of their mental health after participating in our programs.
Our programs are designed to be practical, relatable, and peer-centered, helping students learn from and support one another while building mental health literacy and help-seeking skills.
Equally important, every Erika's Lighthouse program is provided free of charge, making high-quality mental health education accessible to schools regardless of budget. This allows schools of any size and budget to provide evidence-informed mental health education to their students.
This is why skills-based education remains at the center of our work through classroom education programs.
One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that students are often more ready to engage in conversations about mental health than adults expect.
In fact, 93% of participating students believe we should be talking about mental health.
What many educators tell us is not that students are uncomfortable discussing mental health, but that adults don't always feel equipped to teach it. That's why providing schools with ready-to-use, skills-based resources is so important.
When students are given accurate information, practical skills, and trusted adults they can turn to, they engage thoughtfully, ask meaningful questions, and support one another.
We've also learned that creating opportunities for conversation is only part of the solution. Students need to feel connected to the adults and peers around them as individuals.
Research consistently shows that school connectedness is one of the most important protective factors for young people. The CDC identifies school connectedness as a key factor associated with better mental health, lower risk behaviors, and improved long-term outcomes for students. CDC School Connectedness Resources
That's why our work goes beyond mental health awareness. We focus on helping schools create environments where students feel seen, supported, connected, and empowered to seek help when they need it.
The schools seeing the strongest outcomes don't treat mental health as the responsibility of one person or department.
Instead, they build a culture of support through:
This approach aligns closely with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework.
Mental health isn't a one-time lesson.
It's an ongoing commitment to helping every student feel connected, supported, and valued.
Students are more likely to seek help when they know where to go, who to trust, and what support is available.
Our multi-state implementation data suggests that even a single session can improve students' understanding of mental health, school connectedness, and ability to identify trusted adults.
In fact, participating students demonstrated a 13% increase in identifying a trusted adult, an important indicator of help-seeking behavior and access to protective support systems. Research consistently shows that trusted relationships and school-based supports play a critical role in connecting young people to help when they need it most. School-Based Mental Health Education: Program Outcomes Study
School-based mental health programs can also improve access to care by reducing barriers to support and connecting students with appropriate services. Multiple studies have found that expanding school-based mental health services increases access to care and improves student outcomes. Journal of Human Resources: Effects of School-Based Mental Health Services on Youth Outcomes
Tools like the Erika’s Lighthouse Data Center can further support implementation by helping educators understand what's working, identify emerging needs, and make more informed decisions about student support.
The youth mental health crisis cannot be solved through awareness alone.
It requires practical skills, supportive relationships, and school communities where students feel connected to trusted adults and peers. Those connections help young people build resilience, seek support when they need it, and navigate challenges long before a crisis occurs.
At Erika's Lighthouse, we often describe this as providing students with a "lifeline for a lifetime."
Over more than two decades of working alongside educators, students, and families, we've learned that students want these conversations and the support that comes with them.
Today, Erika's Lighthouse reaches more than 1.7 million students annually across all 50 states, reinforcing the importance of giving every young person the tools they need to support their mental well-being.
That's how we build a mentally healthy generation.
Learn more about the programs, tools, and research that support schools and communities in building cultures of belonging and promoting youth mental health.