Now Open: Parent Registration for Student Mental Health Seminar
Belmont County parents and guardians of students, grades K-12, are invited to register and attend a seminar presented by Wendy Ware from the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) on March 4 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in the Barnesville High School Auditorium. “This seminar is about equipping parents with the knowledge and confidence to recognize the signs of depression, start meaningful conversations with their teens, and connect them to support when it’s needed,” said Ware. Interested parents and guardians can register at this link.
The Erika’s Lighthouse program is a free, skills-based curriculum built by experts to provide every student with the skills and knowledge to recognize early signs of depression and take action. ECOESC prevention specialist Jordan Murphy utilizes this curriculum with various students at Barnesville High School.
Ware continued, “By partnering with schools to bring the Erika’s Lighthouse program to our community, we’re helping families understand that adolescent depression is real, treatable, and something no one has to navigate alone.” According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans ages 10-14 and 25-34. Erika’s Lighthouse website states that 50% of mental illness occurs before age 14.
Ginny and Tom Neuckranz founded Erika’s Lighthouse in 2004 when they lost their 14-year-old daughter, Erika, to depression. Erika’s Lighthouse is a nonprofit dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
If you are not able to attend this event and would like more information about helping your child who may be struggling with depression or other mental health issues, please call your child’s school and ask to speak with the prevention specialist. They can connect you to helpful resources. Also, the seminar will be offered again at a later date for any parent or guardian in Belmont County.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
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