
Have you ever felt at a loss for how to assist a friend or colleague?
Do you know the resources available for mental illness or addiction?
A study released by the CDC in August 2020 found that 40 percent of U.S. adults (2 in every 5) are struggling with at least one serious mental health issue during the pandemic.
Through a creative partnership, The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Love IV Lawrence, St. Petersburg College and Humana, has launched the Mental Health First Aid Initiative to raise awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues in the community and provide viable skills to address these challenges.
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour online training course for anyone. We have recommended this to the organizations in the Innovation District for their staff… and encourage you to consider for your business and/or personal development. The cost for those in nonprofit organizations, faith communities or education settings is free. For others it is only $125 per person.
Click here for more information.

Last month, the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub kicked off the school year with a lively Retro Back-to-School themed Happy Hour. Tenants brought their families, and the space was filled with throwback snacks, classic laser backdrop photo ops, and plenty of nostalgic fun.

October always feels like conference season — a time when professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaborations. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the OCEANS 2025 Conference in Chicago, a global gathering for those advancing ocean science and maritime technology.