Erika's Lighthouse: A New Service Partner

As we begin a new Key Club year, we also launch into a brand new partnership! Key Club International will now be collaborating with a group called Erika’s Lighthouse; this organization is dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression as well as encouraging good mental health. Erika's Lighthouse has a mission to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. They aim to create a community of empathy and education among our students. 

Erika’s Lighthouse was selected as a partner by Key Club International due to the lack of education on mental health. In times like we are in where countless people are isolated, awareness of mental health is vital. Additionally, this is generally a forgotten subject considering many people feel uncomfortable discussing their mental health. However, the vision of Erika’s Lighthouse is to make sure no young person feels alone in their depression. Their goal is to become the leading provider of teen depression awareness programs and resources in middle school and high school communities.

How can key clubbers get involved? There are plenty of ways! First, this includes simply raising funds. Creating new service projects to promote donations would be a great start. Plus, over 90% of the support to Erika’s Lighthouse is from individual donors. Second, you can also try raising awareness and educating others about mental health through student-powered communication. With the help of education and awareness, teenagers eliminate the shame and blame of mental illnesses, making it easier to get help. Finally, the last way you can help is by being positive and spreading empathy. You never know what people are going through; by being more considerate and understanding towards people, you are one step closer to building a better, more inclusive culture in your school system.

Visit erikaslighthouse.org for more information about Erika’s Lighthouse and how you can get involved.