LIVE ORLANDO
Coffee Hour with BEAT Psychology and is my closest advisor, we believe in MENS SANO IN CORPORE SANO, and understand the importance of mental health.
We believe that the composition of a healthy community has a direct impact May is Mental on both the physical Health Awareness and mental health Month and as I beof its stakeholders. gan writing this Cof- Building communifee with Beat, I was ties that are holistireminded of the find- cally strong includes ings AdventHealth made several years ago through a community health survey. AdventHealth and Avalon Park Group were trying to determine what medical specialists Avalon Park needs in its goal to become a focus on establishthe healthiest coming a place where munity in central the residents have Florida and the con- a strong sense of clusion was that we belonging and safeneed more psychol- ty. When you know ogists, psychiatrists, your neighbors, they and counselors. The often become friends resounding cry was that you can relax that above all other with and check in needs mental health on you in good and was one of the most challenging times. critical and where any community, in- That sense of belongcluding ours could ing and safety is also improve. complemented with outlets for mind, While we are not body and spirit. And counselors at Avaunderstanding not lon Park Group, all people respond although my wife to the same outlets, Jill holds a Ph.D. in
having a diverse 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 there will be activities like yoga in the park and youth sports. For the mind there are counselors, music and dance performances, art classes, and more. For the spirit, there are several church-
I BELIEVE GIVING BACK THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE HELPS WITH POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH.
doctors to the community 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 es of all faith bases located near Avalon mental health. There Park, as well as plans are countless opportunities to give back for additional spiritual center inside of and help in the community. I encourage the community. In Avalon Park, every- you to look around thing for your daily to the local schools, non-profits and serlife will be at your vice organizations to fingertips, you do see where you can not have to leave the community, and help the most. that the sense of beWith the focus on longing and safety mental health in the becomes real. We continue to look for month of May, I enways to improve the courage you to exmental health oppor- plore the different tunities for our com- ways we can continue to build a healthy munity from bringcommunity together. ing mental health
