Erika’s Lighthouse is blessed with a wonderfully active board and a vibrant teen club at New Trier. Every member of our Board of Directors, Executive Council and Teen Club shares

in the day to day management and support of our programs. Each person gives their unique talents and abilities. It really is a delight working with everyone. I am so very grateful. AND there are some other amazing people who have supported the Lighthouse this year, in very creative and unique ways. I thought that you might like to hear about them. Last summer, Dina and Natalie wanted to do something for Erika’s Lighthouse. Not the kind of people that take the easy road, they decided to raise money by running their first ever half-marathon. Nothing stopped them from their goal – even when Natalie’s job took her to New York City! She continued training in Central Park, and then flew home for The Chicago Half-marathon. Both girls finished, and I was waiting for them at the finish line. (How could they look that pretty, after running so far?) Figure Skating, Alexa was given a $1,000 academic scholarship towards her education and an additional $1,000 towards a charity of her choice. You guessed it, she chose Erika’s Lighthouse. We were thrilled to be the chosen recipient. Zander celebrated his bar mitzvah this past year and talked about Erika’s Lighthouse being an example to him of how we should all strive to make a difference in the world. Thank you for helping to share our message, Zander. Led by local yogini Mac, Niyama Yoga Studio sent good Karma our way all year long by dedicating half of the proceeds of their weekly Karma Yoga Class to us during all of 2009. Each month we were energized by this steadfast support. And many people have given donations in honor of a birthday, a special occasion, or in memory of a loved one. All of these touch our hearts in a very special place. We will be good stewards of your gifts by continuing to educate, advocate and get depression out of the dark.

Ginny Neuckranz

In June 2004 Erika’s Lighthouse was formed, with the belief that through education, our community could begin to learn to talk about teen depression. Six years after our depression awareness curriculum was first introduced into the schools, the message is as relevant as

ever. Through education we have helped many adults and children alike become comfortable talking about what had previously seemed unspeakable – depression and suicide. We have grown both in the number of resources we offer, and in the number of communities we serve. Our message has evolved. We accept that the need to nourish and protect the mental health of our children is every bit as critical as recognizing the signs of depression and mental illness. We make sure to include information on how to practice good mental health, as we all strive to live balanced and healthy lives.Here are some tips that we can all practice:1. Be realistic. Don’t take on more responsibility than you can handle.2. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t expect perfection.3. Plan ahead. Try to avoid waiting until the last minute.4. Take good care of yourself. Exercise boosts your energy level, improves concentration, and puts you in a better mood. Eat well-balanced meals, and limit caffeine and alcohol. Get plenty of rest.5. Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger with trusted friends and family members when necessary.6. Do something you enjoy. Pursue a hobby, or volunteer to help others.7. Try out new ways of thinking. Learn to say “no.”8. Look for the humor in life. Laughter really is the best medicine.

Peggy G. Kubert, LCSW

Shine a light on teen depression, your video camera light that is! Are you someone who enjoys making short films and movies in your free time? Then Erika’s Lighthouse is looking for you! Erika’s Lighthouse, A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression, will be holding its first

annual video contest for teens and young adults ages 12-20. The contest is looking for videos that exemplify the Erika’s Lighthouse message to Get Depression Out of the Dark in 30 seconds or less. All videos must be original and submitted by mail or dropped off to the Erika’s Lighthouse office by April 23rd, 2010. Prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants. First prize is $250, second prize is $150 and third prize is $100. Winners will be announced at noon on May 6th, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, on the Erika’s Lighthouse website. To download the video contest application and guidelines go to: www.erikaslighthouse.org. All questions regarding the video contest can be directed to Heather Steward, Erika’s Lighthouse Teen Coordinator at (847) 251-6630 x 201 or heather@havenforyouth.org. Erika’s Lighthouse, 560 Green Bay Rd. Suite 402, Winnetka, IL 60093

“Breaking the stigma and stereotypes around depression through panel presentations not only promotes good mental health, but also understanding for individuals who are actively fighting depression.” - New Trier Senior

“Erika’s Lighthouse has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to help others to learn about the resources available to find their path out of darkness. I have seen Erika’s Lighthouse touch the lives of many students and families in my community.” - New Trier Senior

“Student life at New Trier can be filled with chaos and competition. Groups like Erika’s Lighthouse are here to help.” - New Trier Senior

“Erika’s Lighthouse has been an important part of my high school career. I have participated all four years, and have gotten to meet a lot of interesting people. The panel presentations have been the most inspiring part of my experience by far, allowing me an emotional glimpse into the lives of people struggling with depression. Seeing the number of people who support our efforts at the Walk-a-Thon, and most recently, the Benefit Concert gives me faith in our cause.” - New Trier Senior

“Erika’s Lighthouse, specifically the panels, has made me a much better public speaker. I have learned a lot about depression, and gotten to know some friends much better since they are comfortable talking to me about their depression.” - New Trier Sophomore

“ELH has taught me what depression looks like, how it doesn’t have a face, but that there are unique symptoms.” - New Trier Sophomore

A Health Education teacher at Glenbrook South High School said, “The most important part of the teen panel presentation is that the message comes from teens to our students, rather than from adults. The students at GBS remember and talk about the presentation long after Erika’s Lighthouse leaves the building.”

A social work intern at a local high school told us that after our teen panel presentation, one of his students followed the exact protocol suggested by the ELH teens on how to help a friend who was considering suicide. As a result, a life was saved.

We recently visited a high school in District 214 with our teen panel. A girl came up to us afterward and said, “I wasn’t going to come to the program. In 7th, 8th, and 9th grades I had problems with cutting and depression. Usually when programs talk about this, they never tell the truth. Thank you for coming and telling the truth.”

After a recent panel presentation for 8th grade students at Central School in Glencoe the health educator said, “As an educator, when I hear students asking questions about depression, I feel that by helping them to understand it, we are doing them a service that can be instrumental throughout their lives. I wish I had been given an opportunity for this type of program when I was younger.”

What is an outreach worker? As a middle school outreach worker, I interact with hundreds of students daily. I engage students in activities during their lunch hour in an effort to gain their trust. This daily exposure allows me to notice nuances that might need to be communicated to the school’s social workers.What makes this different from a school social worker?

The concept that best captures the difference is formal vs. informal. A school social worker has the responsibility to intervene, counsel, and maintain a case with each student. An outreach worker, through informal daily activities, is another pair of eyes for a school social worker.You used to be a teacher. Why the job change? My passion as a teacher has always stemmed from my desire to connect with students on a social-emotional level. As a teacher, I never felt that I had enough time to focus on the social and emotional well being of each student. As an outreach worker, I am better able to support the students as they explore their feelings.What do you like about working with Erika’s Lighthouse? I feel like I won the lottery when I was hired at Haven Youth and Family Services and Erika’s Lighthouse. I am constantly amazed by the sense of community that Erika’s Lighthouse brings to Washburne School. And I am honored to help support its mission of eliminating the stigma associated with adolescent depression.

Last semester freshman students competed in a Penny War to benefit Erika’s Lighthouse. Over a two-week period, students brought in pennies to add positive points to their own jars, and silver coins to subtract pennies from their competitor’s jars. Some students even brought in 2-liter soda containers, full of pennies.

Craig ColmarDianna DevineEileen Sheehan Hovey

Virginia NeuckranzThomas Neuckranz

Elaine TinbergBarbara Bruck Williams

Jan BawdenDeedee BranniganGwendolyn BrittToni ElipasMarcia FieldsDebbie HabackPeggy Hoyt

Anne JamesonFleury LinnSally McQuillenMartha MetzLinda MonicoVicki NewmanMaureen Noble

Pamela PaezEve PerriKaren PetersKathleen Kelly SpearJeni SpinneyMaggie StewartEve Williams

David G. Bawden, M.D.Penny Powers Beitler, M.S., L.M.F.T.Kitsy Bryant, R.N., C.S.N.David C. Clark, Ph.D.

Dan. C. Daly, M.S.Tom Golebiewski, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.Deborah Lazar, M.L.S.Barbara Peet Maier, M.A.

Melissa B. Perrin, Psy.D.Alec Ross, L.C.S.W.Father Charles Rubey, L.C.S.W.

Rev. Joseph Shank, M.Div.Dan Schwartz, Ph.D.Sharon Weingarten, M.S.W.

Cate BarronSusan GilletteAimee Lanphere

Judy MeyerSusan McGill

Kim Buol RibordyJudy Vulbrock

Peggy G. Kubert, L.C.S.W. Executive Director

Heather Steward, Youth Coordinator

First, find the best qualified clinician. The following types of therapists can treat depression: Licensed Marital and Family Therapists; Licensed Clinical Social Workers; Clinical Psychologists; Psychiatric Nurses; Psychiatrists. These professionals have been trained in various methods of psychotherapy (“talk” therapy) and many include depression on their list of specialties. Second, don’t expect to just “pop a pill” and be done. The clinician needs to carefully diagnose the type of depression. If it is situational (mourning of a death, divorce or end of a relationship, getting rejected from college, loss of a job, etc.), then talk therapy and other non medication related interventions will usually prove extremely useful. The therapist will help the client to understand that feeling depressed or having anxiety (depression’s sister issue) is normal and part of life. If one tries to “medicate that away,” it might work for awhile, but the patient will then not have the opportunity to become more resilient. We become resilient through experience in dealing with real life; resilience is the cornerstone of mental health. Third, if the patient does not improve or the clinician determines that the depression could be at least partly biologically based or chronic, antidepressants/anxiety medication can be given. Who can prescribe this medication? Psychiatrists and other medical doctors (MD’S) such as your family physician. Here is where there may be confusion for the first time user of mental health services. Psychiatrists are MD’s who specialize in treating mental health issues and are the only mental health practitioners who can write prescriptions. Other medical doctors such as internists can write prescriptions but are not trained mental health clinicians and will refer the client to a psychotherapist for talk therapy. Therefore, the collaborative team approach works well: The psychotherapist will determine that her client might benefit from antidepressants, and will refer the client to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation. Once medication has begun, the psychotherapist and psychiatrist will confer every few weeks to discuss the client’s progress. The psychotherapist functions as a team leader and may seek information from others: parents, teachers, school social workers. Fourth, it is extremely important to note that many clients improve with psychotherapy alone. However, if medication is called for, it should always be combined with ongoing psychotherapy. In addition, antidepressants should never be discontinued nor the dosage changed without the doctor’s approval. Fifth, be proactive! Ask questions of the therapist and be your own or your child’s best advocate. Help is available from caring professionals in your community. Call one!Penny Powers Beitler, M.S., L.M.F.T.

P.O. Box 616Winnetka, IL 60093www.erikaslighthouse.org

The 7th annual ELH Walk-A-Thon steps off on Sunday, May 23 from the Hubbard Woods Gazebo and will enjoy a new walk that’s about two miles this year through surrounding Winnetka streets. The registration will begin at 2 p.m., with walk beginning at 2:30p.m.The event ends at 4 p.m. Hundreds of walkers have shown up for the fun in years past. Event T-shirts, food, and music from Q101, and a chance to win raffle prizes, are included for $20. New to the walk, live music by the north shore’s hottest teen rock band, Troubled Identity (www.troubledidentity.com).

The $20 donation can be made in advance (www.erikaslighthouse.org) or paid at the walk. Registration will open at 2 p.m. Troubled Identity

WALKATHON - MAY 23WALKATHON - MAY 23