Youth-Led Mental Health Summit

Date

March 28, 2026

Time

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location

UF Health Jacksonville Health Science Building
653 8th street west, Jacksonville Fl 32209

Cost

Free

Student leaders in the I’m A Star Foundation will be hosting a Mental Health Summit and a Leader to Leader Summit to engage youths and adults in conversations designed to help empower teens to unleash their inner greatness.

About the I Am A Star Foundation

Established in 2010, I’m A Star Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides an outlet for students (ages 12-18) to develop solutions to help their peers overcome negative statistics.

An acronym for “Smart, Talented, And Resilient Students,” the Foundation draws student servant leaders from middle and high schools across Duval County each year. The teens volunteer their weekends to come together and strategize to improve their communities.

I’m A Star Foundation trains teens to embrace the notion that the essence of leadership is service. Students engage in service learning projects focused on improving three core issues: childhood obesity, food deserts, and student homelessness

Helpful Resources

Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development

The Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development offers innovative research and guidance on how technology impacts youth, helping communities develop strategies for healthy digital habits.

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The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

In The Anxious Generation, Social Psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt provides a comprehensive analysis of the harms of too much screen time and offers practical solutions to address this epidemic.

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Children & Nature Network

The Children & Nature Network provides a robust resource hub that showcases best practices and programs to foster children’s connections with the natural world.

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Nature & Health Alliance

Nature & Health Alliance unites experts and organizations to advance the science of nature’s benefits, promoting policies and practices that enhance environmental and human well-being.

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Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv underscores the vital role of nature in child development, illustrating the benefits of outdoor play and the risks of nature deficit disorder.

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Social Media and Youth Mental Health, U.S. Surgeon General Advisory

The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health addresses the epidemic of isolation and loneliness among adolescents and shares the importance of in-person social connection and community to support well-being.

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Dr. Robert Waldinger

Dr. Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study on Adult Development, and author, speaker, and Zen teacher. He has run the longest study in history on human happiness and well-being. His mission is to help people discover the keys to living happier, more fulfilling lives by fostering deeper connections with themselves and others.

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Einhorn Collaborative – A Call to Connection report

The Einhorn Collaborative’s A Call to Connection report explores how deep human relationships transform communities and offers actionable recommendations for building stronger connections.

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Dr. Arthur Brooks and the Science of Happiness

Dr. Arthur Brooks, through his work on the science of happiness, shares research-driven strategies to cultivate emotional and social well-being.

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Aspen Community Forum – Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing and Purpose Framework for Youth Development

The Aspen Community Forum’s framework for youth development emphasizes belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose, guiding the creation of supportive environments for young people.

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Blue Sky Funders Forum

The Blue Sky Funders Forum is a group of grantmakers whose mission is to inspire, deepen, and expand investments in meaningful outdoor experiences for everyone, building stronger communities everywhere.

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About the I Am A Star Foundation

Upcoming Events

S-Line Cleanup With Groundwork Jax | April 2026

Hogans Creek Cleanup With Groundwork Jax | April 2026

Celebrate Trails Day on the Emerald Trail

Helpful Resources