Erika's Lighthouse: Level III, Depression Education & Suicide Awareness
Category: Mental Health Literacy
Modality: Curriculum
Summary
Level III: Depression Education & Suicide Awareness provides a deeper discussion about depression and suicide for grade 8-12 students along with a focus on help-seeking and good mental health. The full program has four lessons. The fourth lesson is a skills check as the program meets National Health Education Standards. A condensed one-day lesson is also available.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom
Language
English, Spanish
Cost
Free
# Lessons
Full version: 4 Condensed version: 1
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
Video-based
Staffing Requirements
No additional required
Professional Development
Onsite virtual
Mental Health Literacy Components
This program addresses the following mental health literacy components:
Understanding stigma and strategies for stigma reduction
Understanding how to foster & maintain positive mental health
Understanding how to seek help effectively
Understanding common mental health disorders, signs and symptoms, and treatments
Evidence of Effectiveness
A quasi-experiment in two suburban Chicago high schools (n=652) showed statistically significant changes in adolescent knowledge about depression and their stated willingness to seek help from trusted adults at 6-week follow-up compared to a control classroom condition.
Wait-list control study design https://advancesinsocialwork.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/22305/22279
Increased Depression Knowledge:
RTTAAD students had significantly higher knowledge scores at 6-week follow-up compared to control (p < .05)
Improved Open-Ended Mental Health Literacy:
Significant gains in identifying symptoms, self-care, stigma impact, and suicide warning signs (p < .0001)
Greater Willingness to Seek Help (HSA Scale):
Statistically significant increase in help-seeking acceptability (p < .05)
Increased Belief in Adult Helpfulness (AHSY Scale):
Students were more likely to view adults as capable of helping suicidal peers (p < .0001)"
Published Studies
Kelly, M. S., Freed, H., Kubert, P., & Greibler, S. (2019). Depression education as primary
prevention: The Erika’s Lighthouse school-based program for high school students. Advances in Social
Work, 18(4), 1206-1217. http://dx.doi.org/10.18060/22305