By Ilan Blumenthal-
ICJA established a new mental health club called Erika’s Lighthouse this year. Run by Gadi Kalman, Max Miller, Sarah Zelden, Tali Rosenzweig, and Hannah Carl, the club runs in conjunction with the national Erika's Lighthouse organization.
Erika's Lighthouse is a non-for-profit dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
It was founded in 2004 after Erika Neuckranz, 14 at the time, died by suicide after struggling with depression. It was clear that no one in Erika’s life knew about her depression and was comfortable talking about depression. This was largely due to the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in adolescence. Erika’s loved ones decided that parents, teachers, and teens themselves need a common vocabulary to talk about mental health. They also felt it was important to supply teens with knowledge of how to find help, where to find help, and the necessary skills to reach out for help. Erika’s Lighthouse focuses on depression awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering teens to lead the fight against mental health and the stigma surrounding it.
The five students who are now club leaders approached ICJA teacher and mental health advocate, Mrs. Olivia Friedman about starting the club at the end of last year. Mrs. Freidman said “It was the students idea. They wanted to get it going.”
Mr. Phil Zbaraz, the social worker at Ida Crown expressed his concerns about teen mental health in the digital age. “Technology has brought the global world to the pocket of teens. Media and news is too accessible,” said Mr. Zbaraz. “The teenagers have the responsibility to control it and it puts a lot of pressure on the teenagers themselves.” Mr. Zbaraz feels that clubs like the Mental Health Awareness Club can show those struggling that there are people who are with them and that they do not have to struggle alone.
Shira Lichtenstein, Events Coordinator for Erika’s Lighthouse, as well as Peggy Kubert, Senior Director of Education for Erika’s Lighthouse, feel that mental health awareness clubs like the one at ICJA is “important for all schools and students.” They explain “It is great if a school can demonstrate that they really encourage good mental health in their students.”
Gadi Kalman, senior leader of the club, thinks this club is important because “Mental health is a very important component of our daily lives, and it often gets unnoticed.”
Junior Ida Crown student Ayden Allswang has similar views on the club and was drawn to the club because, “I think that it's important for ICJA to realize that many teens struggle with mental health and bring awareness.”
Mrs. Friedman is hoping for events courtesy of Erika’s Lighthouse Mental Awareness Club. Some of these potential events include meditation Mondays, lunch and learns about topics related to mental health, and inviting outside speakers to speak in an all-school assembly.
On October 6, members of the club participated in the NAMIWalks event, the nation’s largest mental health awareness and fundraising event. In all, the students raised about 100 dollars. Members ran for many different causes. Senior Gadi Kalman’s sign read “I run because life is tough, and so are you.”
On November 3, many students participated in the No Shame on U annual event featuring actor Sean Astin, and Ida Crown senior Josh Pogonitz sharing their mental health journeys. No Shame on U enables people to learn firsthand other people’s struggles to cope with their own mental health struggles and seeks to end the stigma of having mental health illness. It was founded by Miriam Ament, who struggled with finding help regarding mental health when she was in high school in Ida Crown.
Josh spoke about struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. He felt that his striving for everything to be perfect made him feel unwanted and hopeless. His imperfections made him feel that he was not worthy of life.
Many seniors attended the event to support their classmate, Josh Pogonitz, and to hear his story. Pogonitz riveted the audience and earned praise from the other featured speaker— actor Sean Astin.
Josh feels that “It is important to try and inspire other people that, even in their darkest times. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” He told The Crown Prints that “the darkness doesn’t let you think about the light at the end.” Pogonitz also thinks that it is important to show that people are not alone.
Mr. Zbaraz wants people struggling with mental health to know that they are not alone. They should know that help is available via trusted adults, teachers, and professionals. He feels that the stigma interferes with the ability to reach out.
“Teenagers often try to fit in and will change themselves to fit in. This includes hiding mental health issues because they are afraid of being judged,” said Mr. Zbaraz. “We can always do better. We are on the right path here at ICJA. I would like to see more conversation happening. As long as the stigma is still in effect we have more to do.”
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