As a mother of a teenager and a pre-teen, and a high school instructional assistant for Special Education, I am deeply aware of the crucial need to raise awareness and educate teens about depression. I am Committed to this cause and am challenging myself to make a difference through this incredible organization, especially within the Latinx community.
In our community, cultural norms, social pressures, and a lack of access to bilingual resources and providers often discourage seeking mental health care. Many people view discussions about common feelings such as anxiety and depression as taboo, leading to silence on these vital issues.
Your support means the world to me as I work to empower and inform young people about mental health. Together, we can break the stigma and provide the resources and education necessary to foster a healthier, more understanding community.
Erika's Lighthouse is determined to make sure no young person feels alone in their depression. We are dedicated to creating a community of empathy and education. We create middle school and high school teen depression awareness programs so educators and teens can create safe spaces to learn about depression, letting students know they are never alone, and there is somewhere to turn.