by Susan Resko, The Balanced Mind Foundation Executive Director

We ring in the New Year with the exciting news that we will be offering expanded website content and programming on adolescent depression. As you may know, The Balanced Mind Foundation expanded its mission to include all mood disorders; depression and bipolar disorder. We have partnered with Erika’s Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression to bring you quality content to help you and your teen better understand adolescent depression.

On January 25, the Balanced Mind’s webinar features Erika’s Lighthouse executive director, Peggy Kubert, AM, LCSW. She will be discussing their Parent Handbook on Child & Adolescent Depression.

We will highlight some key points from this unique and practical parent to parent guide - written for parents whose children are suffering from depression and written by parents who have been through similar issues with their children.

Some of the topics we will explore include:

• How to establish expectations of "acceptable behavior" for all family members including your child with depression.
• How to talk with your depressed child, close family members and friends about the illness and treatment of depression.
• How to practice active listening skills as a way to connect with all family members.

A limited number of complimentary handbook will be available to webinar participants and a PDF will be made available on the Balanced Mind Foundation’s website.

On February 15, we will again welcome Peggy Kubert to discuss Erika’s Lighthouse’s new Study Guide for 8th-10th grade students. The Study Guide treats the issues of depression and mental health on a comprehensive basis, addressing the basics of depression including the science, the stigma associated with the illness, how to cope with depression, how to cope with the everyday stresses of life, how to help a friend, and bullying-related depression. It includes a section on what schools can do to help students who are suffering from depression and to improve the mental health of our children.

Real Teenagers Talking About Adolescent Depression, a video produced by the teens of Erika’s Lighthouse, complements the Study Guide and has been added to the Balanced Mind website. We encourage you to watch this inspirational piece:

I have been so inspired by the achievements of Erika’s Lighthouse as I have watched it grow over the years. It has become a reputable regional provider of quality educational content and stigma-busting events. I was deeply saddened when I learned that a neighborhood girl, Erika Neuckranz, lost her battle with depression in 2004. Since then, eight Rock 'N Rally Walkathons have been held in memory of Erika to raise awareness and bust stigma. Erika’s Lighthouse affiliate clubs have been born in three suburban Chicago high schools to motivate and inspire high school students to bust stigma and educate peers about adolescent depression, and even more are in the planning stages. Erika’s Lighthouse adopted the Red Flags Program of Mental Health of America of Summit County (Ohio) and conducted hundreds of depression awareness trainings in Chicago area middle and high schools.

I have a deep respect for the quality of content, and I’m happy that we can partner with Erika’s Lighthouse to share this information with you and your family. For more information, check out www.ErikasLighthouse.org.

Check out the webinar schedule.