ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Evence Eliassaint is working to prevent teen suicides by raising mental health awareness.  His work began out of his own mental health struggles.  He organized a flag football game on September 10th, where influencers – TikTokers versus YouTubers – will play each other. 

They’ll be competing, but they’re all on one team when it comes to raising mental health awareness.

What You Need To Know

  • The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF)'s data shows suicide rates among 11 – 17-year-olds in Central Florida is at its highest point in 20 years, partially due to the pandemic

  • Evence Eliassaint is working to raise mental health awareness through his nonprofit, Stop Cappin Entertainment

  • Stop Cappin Entertainment’s flag football game was Saturday, September 10th at 3 p.m. at Archie Gordon Memorial Park in Kissimmee 

Each player chose a specific message.

“One chose men’s mental health because he felt that it’s not talked about enough in this day and age and in fact, it’s frowned upon for men to talk about their mental health,” said Eliassaint, showing a t-shirt for one of the players.

Eliassaint started Stop Cappin Entertainment to help others who face mental health struggles – “Stop Cappin” meaning stop fronting or pretending and be real.

“I was bullied for my skin color and just the way that I looked, the majority of my life, so that was a big obstacle that I had to go through,” said Eliassaint. “And it was just a lot of hate for something that I couldn’t even fix.”

Eliassaint worked on a promotional video for the event.  He says video editing is something that helps him stay focused on something positive.

“Now, I just use it to express my creativity, and it’s just a big escape for me,” said Eliassaint.

But when it comes to his non-profit, and life in general, he doesn’t do it all alone. His roommate helps out.

He’s part of a support system of friends who have helped Eliassaint get to where he is today.

“Just being there for people, it’s just like your presence is always very important,” said Rick Phanor, Eliassaint’s friend and an executive with Stop Cappin Entertainment.

“We’ve always been friends, we go back to middle school days.”

With some help, Eliassaint has learned a lot. And he wants to share that with others and potentially save lives. 

“I’ll continue to preach my story, as long as it helps other people,” said Eliassaint.

Stop Cappin Entertainment’s flag football game was Saturday, September 10th at 3pm at Archie Gordon Memorial Park in Kissimmee.  

While Eliassaint takes donations for his nonprofit, he says his main mission is to raise awareness for mental health.