SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Nonprofit organization Sunshine From Darkness will present its 2026 “Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit” on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mote SEA near Nathan Benderson Park. The event is scheduled during Mental Health Awareness Month.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 23 percent of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2024. Additionally, 16.5 percent of U.S. youth ages 6-17 have a mental health disorder. Only 52 percent of those adults and just under 51 percent of those youths received any treatment.
In Florida, more than 300,000 adolescents struggle with depression. About 60 percent receive no mental health care at all. Florida consistently ranks at or near the bottom of mental health access in the country.
Summit programming
The summit will feature speaker sessions on mindfulness, coping skills, interactive experiences and the healing power of music therapy. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with community resources, hear from experts and peers in the mental health field and connect with others who care about mental wellness.
Keynote speakers are Jerod Ward and Johnny Crowder. Ward is a former professional basketball player, TEDx and motivational speaker, college basketball analyst for networks including ESPN and Fox Sports, and founder of JW Global Speaks, LLC.
Crowder is a suicide and abuse survivor, touring heavy metal musician, certified Peer Recovery Specialist, public advocate for mental health awareness and founder of psychology startup Cope Notes. Cope Notes provides daily text messages that combine peer support and positive psychology to help improve mental and emotional health.
About Sunshine From Darkness
Sunshine From Darkness is dedicated to supporting mental health wellness through programming, education, collaboration and advocacy. The organization’s mission is to enhance and promote mental health wellness in the community and reduce the stigma of asking for help.
The organization holds two signature events each year: the Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit in May and the Inspiring Hope Dinner in February. Sunshine From Darkness is focused on expanding programming to meet young people where they are, including specialized empowerment workshops for youth in performing arts and sports.
stepintothelight.sunshinefromdarkness.org
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