LIVE ORLANDO
Coffee Hour with BEAT
verse offering is important for the health of the entire community. We are building Avalon Park to be programmed to provide outlets for all. For the body We believe that the there will be activities like yoga in composition of a healthy community the park and youth sports. For the mind has a direct impact May is Mental on both the physical there are counselors, Health Month and as and mental health music and dance I reflected on writperformances, art of its stakeholders. ing this Coffee with Building communi- classes, and more. Beat, I was remindties that are holistiFor the spirit there ed of the findings cally strong includes are several churchAdventHealth made several years ago through a community health survey. AdventHealth and Avalon Park Group were trying to determine what medical specialists Avalon Park will need in its goal to become the a focus on establish- es of all faith bases healthiest communi- ing a place where located near Avalon ty in central Florida the residents have Park, as well as plans and the conclusion a strong sense of to include spiritual was that we need belonging and safe- centers in the commore psychologists, ty. When you know munity. In Avalon psychiatrists, and your neighbors, they Park, everything for counselors. The re- often become friends your daily life will sounding cry was that you can relax be at your fingertips, that above all other with and check in you do not have to needs mental health on you in good and leave the commuwas one of the most challenging times. nity, and that the critical and where sense of belonging any community, in- That sense of beand safety becomes cluding ours could longing and safety real. We continue improve. is also complement- to look for ways to ed with outlets for improve the mental While we are not mind, body and spir- health opportunities counselors at Avait. And understand- for our community lon Park Group, ing not all people from bringing menalthough my wife respond to the same tal health doctors Jill holds a Ph.D. in outlets, having a di- to the community Psychology and is my closest advisor, we believe in MENS SANO IN CORPORE SANO, and understand the importance of mental health.
I BELIEVE GIVING BACK THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE HELPS WITH POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH.
to adding programming that will create positive outlets for all needs. A couple of weeks ago I attended the inaugural church service started by our long-time friend Pastor Dale Brooks in Bithlo. In his sermon, he reminded the congregation that first and foremost the community needs God. And while there are many needs, such as clean water, enough food, and shelter, the foundation should remain routed in faith. I also truly believe giving back through community service helps with positive mental health. There are countless opportunities to give back and help in the community. I encourage you to look around to the local schools, non-profits and service organizations to see where you can help the most. With the focus on mental health in the May, I encourage you to explore the different ways we can continue to build a healthy community together.
