Over 1 million students worldwide are learning to recognize depression, find trusted adults, and ask for help - and every resource is completely free.

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Conklin from Erika's Lighthouse to explore how their evidence-based mentalhealth education programs are reaching students across the globe - from California classrooms to schools in Madagascar - with tools that are proven to increase help-seeking behavior, knowledge, and coping strategies.

 Discover their approach that makes depression education accessible, relatable, and effective. Katie shares thefour-pillar framework transforming school cultures.

You'll learn:

• Why "depression education IS suicide prevention" creates a broader, more effective impact
• The specific warning signs that educators and parents should watch for (and why they're differentfor every kid)
• How to start a student-led mental health empowerment club at your school
• Where to find free family workbooks that demystify therapy, insurance, and mental health jargon
• Real stories of impact - including the fourth grader who disclosed suicidal thoughts after a single wellness lesson

Everything Erika's Lighthouse offers is completely FREE and available at erikaslighthouse.org. Within 10 minutes of creating an account, you'll have access to videos, workbooks, conversation starters, and step-by-step guides for implementing these life-saving programs.

Guest Bio

Katie Conklin joined Ericka’s Lighthouse in August2021.  She has a Master’s degree in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University.  Katie has over 20 years of experience working in behavioral health and nonprofit administration.  Katie is passionate about mental health awareness in schools and is excited to be a part of the Erika’sLighthouse team.

About Erika’s Lighthouse

Erika’s Lighthouse is dedicated to empowering students with a lifeline for a lifetime. They provide the leading depressioneducation and suicide prevention curriculum in the U.S. A curriculum that is easy for busy educators to implement and is 100% free. 

 Their goal is to equip every student with the skills and knowledge to recognize early signs of depression and takeaction.  Key components of their programs include:

✓ Entirely FREE

✓ Peer-to-peer approach

✓ 1:1 support 

✓ Skills-based curriculum built by experts

✓ User-friendly & perfect for busy educators

Learn more at: https://erikaslighthouse.org/

Thank you

Thank you for listening to the Raising Resilient KidsPodcast! We are siblings on a mission to help kids become their strongest selves. Each episode, we share proven strategies with parents, teachers, and all who work with youth and teens to build resilient, confident kids who can tackle life's challenges and thrive.

For more information on the podcast, or if you have aquestion you would like answered by one of our expert guests, please visit us at –

 https://www.smarthwp.com/raisingresilientkidspodcast.

A Special Thanks to our Sponsor

Mind of a Champion https://smart-hwp.teachable.com/a/aff_9pt0kd23/external?affcode=246901_xpbs0um0

The So Happy You're Here YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@sohappyyouarehere

The Resilient Youth Certification Program - https://www.smarthwp.com/RY4teachers