Braveminds Academy wins top teen mental health honors

By AI, Created 10:40 PM UTC, May 22, 2026, /AGP/ – Braveminds Academy, a residential treatment center for adolescent boys in Largo, Florida, says it earned two national and state awards during Mental Health Awareness Month. The recognition, plus a new awareness campaign and TV feature, underscores the growing demand for structured teen mental health care.

Why it matters: - Braveminds Academy says the awards reinforce demand for residential mental health care for adolescent boys ages 11-17. - The recognition may help families, referral partners and clinicians identify structured treatment options for teens facing anxiety, depression, trauma and behavioral challenges. - The honors arrive during Mental Health Awareness Month, when teen mental health awareness is already in focus.

What happened: - Braveminds Academy said it earned two 2026 honors: “Best Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys in the United States of 2026” from EvergreenAwards.com and “Best Adolescent Mental Health Treatment Program in Florida of 2026” from Best of Best Review. - The academy is a residential mental health treatment center for adolescent boys ages 11-17 in Largo, Florida. - The awards were announced during Mental Health Awareness Month.

The details: - Braveminds Academy says its program is built around evidence-based treatment, emotional healing, family restoration and long-term behavioral transformation. - The treatment model includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, trauma-informed care, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, emotional regulation development and behavioral accountability systems. - The academy says its environment is designed to feel welcoming, relationship-centered and healing-focused while still maintaining structure and accountability. - Braveminds Academy says it has a perfect 5-star Google rating. - The academy says families, therapists, healthcare professionals, school counselors, pediatricians and referral partners have helped drive its reputation in Florida and nationwide. - Braveminds Academy also launched the “Drop the Weight Challenge” for Mental Health Awareness Month. - The campaign asks participants to hold a heavy object as a symbol of invisible emotional burdens, then drop it to represent releasing stigma, shame, isolation and stress. - The campaign has generated hundreds of thousands of views and significant engagement across social media, the academy said. - Braveminds Academy says the campaign is meant to promote awareness, early intervention, compassion, open conversations and reduced stigma around mental health treatment. - Tony Martino, director of business development at Braveminds Academy, said, “You never truly know what someone may be carrying internally. Be kind. Be aware. Help early.” - Braveminds Academy was also featured on ABC Tampa Bay 28 News with Wendy Ryan. - The segment highlighted the academy’s treatment approach and included stories from parents and families. - Alex Williams, MSW, executive director at Braveminds Academy, said the program helps young men rebuild confidence, rediscover purpose, strengthen family relationships and realize their story is not over.

Between the lines: - The awards and media coverage give Braveminds Academy third-party validation at a time when teen behavioral health services are under pressure. - The “Drop the Weight Challenge” turns a clinical issue into a social media-friendly awareness campaign, which can broaden reach beyond traditional mental health audiences. - The emphasis on family integration signals that the academy is positioning treatment as a home-and-community issue, not just a facility-based one.

What’s next: - Braveminds Academy says it will keep expanding awareness across Largo, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Florida and nationwide. - Families can review the program details, admissions process, clinical philosophy and treatment approach at the academy’s website. - Families seeking admissions, treatment options or availability can contact the academy at (727) 758-4600. - The academy says it will continue working with families and healthcare professionals to support adolescents who need residential care.

The bottom line: - Braveminds Academy is using awards, media exposure and a mental health awareness campaign to reinforce its brand as a structured residential option for teen boys needing intensive support.