ORLANDO, Fla. — When Joseph Sivoli moved to Florida over a decade ago, he was unaware of the mental health resources available for Orlando’s gay community. It was only after undergoing trauma therapy several years ago that he recognized the significant benefits of counseling.
“It was like turning a floodlight on in a room that only had a single light bulb. I finally started to understand why my behavior was the way it was,” Sivoli explained.
Inspired by his own experience, Sivoli founded Beacon Health, a nonprofit organization that plans to offer free mental health services to Central Florida’s LGBTQ community starting in August.
Beacon Health will provide a hotline for individuals to call and schedule appointments. If necessary, referrals to other services will be available. “We want to create a place where the community can come, feel safe, be supported, and access the services they need, with referrals to other services if we don’t provide them,” Sivoli said.
In addition, interns from the University of Central Florida will assist in delivering these services, enhancing the support network available to the community.
To support its initiatives, Beacon Health will host a fundraising event on June 29 at the Deer Creek Village Clubhouse.
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