2024 Brave Summit HOSTS APPROXIMATely 1,400 STUDENTS
The high school students were receiving the VIP treatment as attendees
of the fourth annual BRAVE Summit, held on March 27 in St. Augustine.
The students demonstrated their own bravery by showing up to the summit,
designed to destigmatize mental health issues and provide valuable tools,
resources, and camaraderie for those struggling with mental health challenges.
“We had 1,402 students who attended the summit,” said Paige
Stanton, founder of the BRAVE Summit and executive director of UF Health
St. Johns Care Connect, which focuses on community-based care. “Last
year, we had just over 1,000 students, so we saw a big increase this year.”
Skateboarders caught air on a half-pipe as students looked on, mental health
advocates Odd Rod and Kevin Hines told gripping and inspirational stories,
and students wandered freely between activities and vendors. Musical acts
Crash Adams and Nicky Youre capped off the day with performances that
gave students a front-row view in the 4,000-plus capacity amphitheater,
complete with group selfies from the popular musicians and plenty of chorus
singalongs.
Stanton said the BRAVE Summit also hosted 41 vendors offering mental health
services and resources, 95 volunteers, 79 chaperones, and about 70 parents,
who attended the parents, caregivers, and guardians Summit at the adjacent
Elks Lodge.
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