#USA #Winnetka #Erika's Lighthouse #mental health education #student empowerment

25 Schools Recognized for Their Commitment to Mental Health Education

In a remarkable initiative that highlights the importance of mental health education, Erika's Lighthouse, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing awareness and understanding of mental health issues, has recognized 25 schools across 14 states with the prestigious 2025 Peggy Kubert Model School in Mental Health Excellence Award. This award underscores the school's commitment to promoting mental well-being through comprehensive, universal programming focused on mental health education.

Erika's Lighthouse aims to empower students and educators by providing free, high-quality curriculum that focuses on depression education and suicide prevention. In the last school year alone, their outreach impacted over one million students across 49 states and 26 countries, marking a significant advancement in the effort to foster a mental health-supportive environment in educational systems. Notably, 91% of these students reported feeling informed and capable of managing their mental health after participating in the program.

The Peggy Kubert Model School Award acknowledges schools that excel in providing Tier-1 mental health programming within a multi-tiered support framework. To qualify, schools must complete the Erika's Lighthouse Tier-1 Mental Health Assessment, evaluating their implementation across seven essential components: Foundational Core, Classroom Education, Student Empowerment, Family Engagement, Policy & Staff Development, Schoolwide Campaigns, and Data-Driven Practices.

The 2025 recipients exemplify schools that have not only adopted Erika's Lighthouse's offerings but have also integrated other community-driven programs, fostering an environment conducive to mental well-being. The list of award-winning schools includes:

• - Carmela Elementary School – Whittier, California
• - Caverna High School – Horse Cave, Kentucky
• - Crestview High School – Columbiana, Ohio
• - Delcastle Technical High School – Wilmington, Delaware
• - Hodgson Vocational Technical High School – Newark, Delaware
• - Howard High School of Technology – Wilmington, Delaware
• - J F Kennedy Middle School – Natick, Massachusetts
• - Kilby Shores Elementary School – Suffolk, Virginia
• - Lakewood Middle School – Hebron, Ohio
• - Livermore High School – Livermore, California
• - Maplewood High School – Cortland, Ohio
• - Metcalfe County Middle School – Edmonton, Kentucky
• - Newark Vocational High School – Newark, New Jersey
• - Norwood Elementary School – Miami, Florida
• - Orchard Park Middle School – Orchard Park, New York
• - Penn High School – New Castle, Delaware
• - Prescott Elementary School – Chicago, Illinois
• - Robert Turner College & Career High School – Pearland, Texas
• - St. Georges Technical High School – Middletown, Delaware
• - Swanton Middle School – Swanton, Ohio
• - Technical Senior High School – St. Cloud, Minnesota
• - The Bayard School – Wilmington, Delaware
• - Tippecanoe Middle School – Tipp City, Ohio
• - Walatowa High Charter – Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
• - Wilson Middle School – Natick, Massachusetts

Additionally, 14 schools have been recognized with the Four Pillar School Award, which rewards institutions successfully implementing programs in all four areas of Erika's Lighthouse's curriculum: education, student leadership, family engagement, and staff training. Honorees in this category include:

• - American International School of Mozambique – Maputo, Mozambique
• - Caravel Middle School – Carmel, Maine
• - Flandreau Indian Boarding School – Flandreau, South Dakota
• - John Yeates Middle School – Suffolk, Virginia
• - King's Fork Middle School – Suffolk, Virginia
• - Lennox Middle School – Lennox, California
• - Mt. Vernon Township High School – Mount Vernon, Illinois
• - Neenah Joint School District – Neenah, Wisconsin
• - Oakwood Junior High School – Dayton, Ohio
• - Orchard View Schools – Muskegon, Michigan
• - Quitman High School – Quitman, Texas
• - Rose Bud Elementary School – Rose Bud, Arkansas
• - Sussex Academy – Georgetown, Delaware
• - Toledo School For The Arts – Toledo, Ohio

Schools looking to become recognized as a Peggy Kubert Model School can utilize Erika's Lighthouse programs suitable for their community. Educational institutions interested in implementing these valuable resources can register at www.erikaslighthouse.org/portal, where they will gain immediate access to a variety of materials tailored for grades 4-12, empowering clubs, family engagement strategies, and development resources for staff.

About Erika's Lighthouse: Founded on the belief that every student deserves access to valuable mental health education, Erika's Lighthouse provides complimentary, high-quality curriculum focused on depression and suicide prevention. Their Four Pillar Philosophy ensures comprehensive support across all touchpoints within the school community, striving to cultivate an environment where mental health is prioritized. In the upcoming 2024-25 school year, Erika's Lighthouse programming is expected to reach an even broader audience, continuing to make a significant impact in mental health education worldwide.

For further details and inquiries, please contact Joshua Taustein via email at [email protected] or visit the Erika's Lighthouse website for more information regarding their programs and initiatives.