About

Shining a light on youth mental health

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The Lantern Project was created with a simple but powerful belief: no child should struggle with their mental health in silence, and no parent should feel unprepared to help. Many mental health challenges begin long before a crisis, yet stigma, misunderstanding, and lack of information often keep families from recognizing the early signs.

We exist to change that.

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Our mission is to empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to recognize early mental health struggles, to actively dismantle stigma surrounding mental illness, and to build communities where every child feels seen, heard, and safe. We do this by providing clear, accessible education that meets families where they are—through printable resources, school and community partnerships, and visible “safe adult” initiatives that help kids know exactly who they can turn to.

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The Lantern Project is a light in the early moments—before crisis, before fear—when understanding, compassion, and connection can make all the difference. We believe that honest conversations save lives. We believe that mental health support should be free of shame. And we believe that with the right tools, every adult can help guide a child back toward safety and hope.

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Together, we can shine a light that helps kids find their way.