Industry
Nonprofit/Charity
Challenge
Nell Osborne, a childhood friend of the organization's namesake, recognized early on the profound lack of awareness and education surrounding youth depression and mental health. Traditional school safety measures often overlook mental health crises, leaving students without a clear roadmap for help or the vocabulary to discuss their struggles.
Results
By transitioning from an original teen member to a high-impact P2P fundraiser and marathon runner, Nell has raised vital funds and community awareness to normalize mental health conversations. Her efforts provide evidence-based tools to families and schools, ensuring that "getting depression out of the dark" remains a tangible reality for the next generation.
Key Product
Classroom Education, Empowerment Club
We know what to do in a fire, in a tornado drill, and now an active threat drill. However, how many of us know what to do in a mental health crisis? An event that is so common, yet still so taboo.
About Nell
Nell Osborne is a licensed clinical mental health therapist, business owner, athlete, and mother of two. As one of the original teen members who helped establish Erika’s Lighthouse in 2004, she has dedicated her professional and personal life to breaking the stigma surrounding adolescent depression.A Personal Mission: Championing Mental Health
Nell Osborne’s journey with Erika’s Lighthouse is a "full circle" story of resilience. In 2004, as a friend of Erika Neuckranz, Nell was among the first group of teenagers who met to brainstorm how to address the lack of education regarding youth mental health. From presenting on teen panels to helping with the very first walkathon, Nell grew up alongside the organization, gaining the vocabulary and insight that eventually led her to become a mental health professional. Her personal history fuels her professional mission: ensuring no child feels alone in their journey.
From Passion to Action: Nell’s Fundraising Strategy
Nell’s competitive spirit and determination have made her a standout P2P fundraiser. As a member of Team Resilience, she completed the Chicago Marathon twice. When health challenges forced her to pivot away from marathons, she viewed it as a new opportunity rather than a setback. In 2025, she created her own "Shine A Light" event, returning to her roots of community-based brainstorming.
Her strategy centered on the power of the "village." By reaching out to local businesses and vendors, Nell secured donations and silent auction items, finding that most community members were eager to say "yes" to youth mental health. She utilized professional tools like GiveButter for auctions and Eventbrite for ticketing to streamline the process. Nell also added personal touches, such as "goodie bags" containing Erika’s Lighthouse information and hand-decorated cookies, ensuring every attendee left with actionable tools to support a child in need.
The Impact of Resilience
Nell’s work demonstrates that youth mental health advocacy is a lifelong commitment. By bringing evidence-based research and free resources into her community, she is helping to standardize mental health literacy. Her efforts ensure that when the "big scary feelings" of depression or anxiety arise, the community is as prepared for that crisis as they would be for a fire drill. Nell proves that with the right community support, we can truly get depression out of the dark.
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