A Passion for Youth and Mental Health

December 21, 2022

Your Year-End Gift Will Make Someone’s Dream Come True

There is a little known but alarming cause of death among youth with type 1 diabetes: suicide. According to the American Diabetes Association, adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes are 61% more likely to say they feel suicidal than those without diabetes, and up to 7% of deaths in individuals with type 1 diabetes are a result of suicide.


Ashley Robertson, a West Palm Beach resident who lives with type 1 diabetes, saw the toll the disease can take on youth mental health when she was a volunteer at Florida Diabetes Camp. It was where she was first inspired to pursue a nursing career combining mental health with care for chronic conditions. 


Now, with the support of a scholarship from Palm Health Foundation, she is studying for her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health. 

“With Palm Health Foundation’s support, I am pursuing my dream to work with children and adolescents with chronic conditions to hopefully make an impact on their lives.”

 - Ashley Robertson, Palm Health Foundation Scholar

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships in support of both nursing and mental health professions are critical, especially in South Florida, where shortages in both fields are affecting the health of our community - read more.

Support our community’s health and a scholar’s dreams. Give today. 

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100% of your donation will support a local student pursuing a career in nursing, and Palm Health Foundation will match your gift, dollar-for-dollar.

About the Match


Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships would not be possible without the support of our generous donors. Ashley’s scholarship was supported by a gift from Valley Bank.


“Valley Bank believes in empowering our communities to thrive. By supporting local scholars like Ashley, we are contributing to a strong, capable workforce to meet the health and wellness needs of our neighbors.” – Charles Keys, Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility/CRA Officer



Charles Keys and Ashley Robertson

You can help strengthen our local health professions by giving to The Nursing Advancement Fund today. 

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About Palm Health Foundation’s Scholarships

Palm Health Foundation provides needs-based scholarships to nurses in LPN, undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, and to behavioral health professions students seeking bachleor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.


Since 2001, the foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education.
 

April 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation proudly supports paid practicum experiences for FAU’s Sandler School of Social Work MSW students. Through this support, we’re removing financial barriers to education and growing a capable behavioral health workforce in our community. One of FAU’s outstanding MSW students, Amy Ferguson, was placed with the Palm Health Foundation team for her learning, and provided a reflection on her experience:
April 24, 2026
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation today announced the election of new officers to serve on its board of trustees. The new leadership brings decades of combined experience in health, community development, law, and philanthropy to guide the foundation's mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration. 
March 30, 2026
South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence 
February 24, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is pleased to share our 2025 Report to the Community, which highlights our commitment to leading change for better health – now and for generations to come.
January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.
November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.
November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.