Be Resilient and Voice Emotions (BRAVE)
- We're with you every step of the way.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing an urgent mental or behavioral health crisis, visit the UF Health Behavioral Health Resource Center.
• The Crisis Text Line gives you 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors that can give you tools to help manage everyday concerns – anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, relationship issues – there is nothing too big or small to discuss. Text CARE4U to 741741 to access this resource today.

About BRAVE

Funded by state appropriations, BRAVE partners with school districts across the state of Florida to help alleviate the workload associated with managing community behavioral health referrals. Through telephonic assistance, BRAVE supports families in identifying timely, appropriate care and navigating the treatment process with confidence. The program ensures students and families have access to the resources they need during what can often be a stressful and confusing time.

BRAVE currently offers services in the following school districts: St. Johns, Putnam, Nassau, Clay, Columbia, Okaloosa, Lake, Sumter, Volusia, and Marion.

Our team

As part of UF Health St Johns Care Connect, BRAVE, is a statewide program consisting of three regions: North, Central, and South. Our team represents staff that are experts at navigating youth behavioral health services with care and compassion. We recognize there can be many barriers to finding the right care, and we want to assist you along the way.

• North Supervisor: Lindsay Thompson
• Central Supervisor: Angie Yarbrough
• South Supervisor: Victoria Bartow

BRAVE summit

The BRAVE Summit is an annual, student-centered mental wellness experience designed to empower high school students, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and connect young people with tools, resources, and support in a meaningful way.

Through engaging speakers, interactive activities, creative expression, and peer connection, the summit creates a welcoming environment where students feel seen, valued, and encouraged to prioritize their mental well-being. Having hosted successful BRAVE Youth Summits since 2021, the BRAVE Summit continues to bring together students, families, schools, and community partners to promote resilience and help-seeking behaviors and remind students that they are not alone.

BRAVE community

BRAVE Community provides referral navigation to counseling for youth across Florida. The program was created to expand access beyond students referred by public school districts, addressing a gap for youth enrolled in virtual, home‑based, or other alternative education settings who also need support navigating mental health services.

Fill out the BRAVE community referral form to see if your county is eligible for a referral.

School districts

BRAVE partners with School Districts to remove barriers to mental health care and support compliance with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act. Through a HIPAA-compliant referral system, BRAVE actively engages families, coordinates timely access to providers within the required 30-day window, and offers real-time visibility into referral progress. BRAVE collaborates with both district-approved and network providers, helps re-engage hard-to-reach families, and reduces administrative burden by centralizing communication and reporting. Funded through state legislation, BRAVE provides these services at no cost to School Districts, with additional support for uninsured or underinsured families to ensure every student can access the care they need.

Interested in learning more?

Complete our contact form and the appropriate team member will contact you within 48 business hours.

Youth behavioral health providers

The BRAVE Network partners with mental health providers to streamline referrals, reduce administrative burden, and ensure families successfully access care. All referrals are pre-screened for eligibility, location, insurance, and service type, so providers receive appropriate, ready-to-schedule clients without the need for additional intake screening. BRAVE actively engages families to confirm appointments, address barriers to care, and support attendance, while maintaining HIPAA-compliant systems. We coordinate closely with providers to match referral volume with available capacity, only sending referrals when openings exist. Participation in the BRAVE Network is at no cost to providers serving communities across Florida.

Interested in learning more?

Complete our contact form and the appropriate team member will contact you within 48 business hours.