On Thursday, Nov. 9, The Jed Foundation (JED) hosted its fourth-annual Florida Gala at The Ray Hotel’s new Delray Beach restaurant, Campi, raising $200,000 to benefit youth mental health and suicide prevention work for local schools and students.
More than 20% of high school students reported having serious thoughts of suicide over the past year, and 10% have made an attempt to take their lives. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 34 in the U.S. In Florida, 64% of young people ages 12 to 17 who have depression did not receive any care in the past year, while nearly half of all high school students reported feeling “depressed or sad on most days.”
At JED’s Florida Gala, nearly 200 guests gathered to take part in powerful conversations about how these urgent issues can be addressed to protect emotional health and prevent suicide. Donations from the gala will support local implementation of the District Comprehensive Approach, a groundbreaking program offered through JED and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, that provides PreK-12 school districts across the nation with an evidence-based framework to protect mental health and prevent suicide for millions of students.
JED currently offers expert support to 10 Florida schools, impacting more than 230,000 students and establishing environments where they feel supported and equipped to thrive. Nationally, JED is positively impacting more than 6.5 million young lives from Pre-K to college through purposeful partnerships with school districts, high schools, boarding schools, and colleges.
Former Miami Dolphins player Rob Konrad served as emcee for the mission-driven night, speaking candidly about the mental health struggles that impacted his fellow athletes, while JED CEO John MacPhee discussed the current landscape of youth mental health, the nonprofit’s innovative work in Florida and across the country, and the importance of being a supportive adult to today’s youth.
Dr. Ralph Maurer, Head of School at Oxbridge Academy, also spoke to the crowd of local celebrities, educators, students, and mental health advocates about leading a JED High School and prioritizing the emotional well-being of his students.
JED youth ambassador Adison Schwartz was honored with a special award for her leadership and commitment to young adult mental health, and Doug Hammond, Chairman and CEO of NFP, accepted the Corporate Leadership Award on his company’s behalf for its continued commitment to supporting teens and young adults.
“The Jed Foundation is grateful to our Florida friends and advocates for their continuous efforts in shaping a better future for all young people living in Florida,” MacPhee said. “The support from this community will allow for PreK-12 students to grow up in academic environments where mental health is normalized and suicide prevention efforts are prioritized. We’re appreciative of all who showed up to both celebrate our accomplishments and remind us that the work continues.”
The event was sponsored by Campi (host), Avalon (host), NFP (host), Kobren Law, Delray Dermatology + Cosmetic Center, Robinson Family Foundation, Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Muir Cosmetic + Restorative Dentistry, Nicholson Muir: Distinguished Meats, and The Presson Group.
About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org
media@jedfoundation.org
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