Edward Waters University has taken a groundbreaking step in addressing the mental health needs of its student-athletes with the unveiling of the N.E.S.T (Nurturing, Empowering & Supporting Tigers) wellness room. This innovative space, created in partnership with Hearts for Minds (H4M), is designed to provide a dedicated area for student-athletes to focus on their mental well-being.  

Since Hearts 4 Minds was founded, Rebecca Ackerman has been there to put her heart into the organization and its mission. After all, its founder, Sheryl Johnson, is her aunt and Alex was her younger cousin by four weeks. In 2017, Alex passed away after a prolonged battle against anxiety and depression. When Ackerman saw Johnson begin working to transform that tragic loss into something bigger, she knew she wanted to be a part of it
and she has been part of the organization ever since.

While the world will always have its problems, Ackerman believes in the power of the helpers.

The Players Championship announced that it has used proceeds from the 2024 tournament to award its Red Coats Community Grants, named for The Players "Red Coats," the past chairs who oversee the grant application process. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the importance of mental well-being and celebrate the resilience of those living with mental health conditions. Here at Hearts 4 Minds, we're gearing up to make some noise and spread awareness throughout the month!

Hearts 4 Minds Founder Sheryl Johnson has been awarded the Melody Starr Anne Bishop Community Service Award.

Breaking the stigma of mental health through 'art' that uplifts the community. Murals with Meaning highlights 'mental health awareness' and striving to connect those struggling with mental health resources.

Voyage Jacksonville highlights Sheryl Johnson as Daily Inspiration. Learn more about Sheryl and Hearts 4 Minds.

Sheryl Johnson sat down with Tom McManus of the “The Horse’s Mouth”. The Horse’s Mouth is a unique talk show where Tom’s guests sidle up to his bar to discuss the intersection of sports, business, and life.

Local coffee roaster Haymaker Coffee is teaming up with local nonprofit Hearts 4 Minds to help support the nonprofit’s goal of altering how people look at mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it is appropriate that our Positively Jax winner, Sheryl Johnson, and her organization, Hearts4Minds, are in the spotlight.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp has teamed up with ‘Hearts 4 Minds’ and created a community mural focused on the importance of addressing mental health.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Hearts 4 Minds, Inc. are excited to create positive change in crafting a community mural designed to bring the entire community of Jacksonville together. The mural is being sponsored by Baptist Health and will be unveiled at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30 at 121 Financial Ballpark. Its theme touches on the importance of addressing mental health.

Local mother creates program to help teens, young adults battling mental health disease

Mom recognized gap in medical system when her son struggled with depression

The club also honored Tabitha Furyk, cofounder of the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation and the Rotary’s 2020 Rock of the Community award recipient. Due to the pandemic, the club was unable to hold its Mineral City Celebration and honor Furyk in 2020. However, the club still directed support toward Furyk’s charity of choice, Alex’s Dragonfly Coalition, which strives to destigmatize and raise awareness about mental health.

Baptist Health is working to get a mental health coordinator for kids and teens in Northeast Florida thanks to the help of the Jim Moran Foundation.

The Foundation has offered to match up to $750,000 dollars in donations to Alex’s Dragonfly Endowment.

Alex Newman died at 22 after a tortuous battle with anxiety and depression. His parents, Sheryl and Todd Johnson of Jacksonville, are now working with the Baptist Health Foundation to establish a behavioral health program to help other struggling youth and young adults.

Sheryl Johnson is on a mission to erase the stigma associated with mental illness after losing her son when he was only 22-years-old.