2024 Brave Summit HOSTS APPROXIMATLEY 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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