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About Janine Monico

Janine Monico is a digital marketing consultant who has managed the Healthy Minds Philly initiative website since 2015.

Kratom’s Risks: A Rising Concern for Philadelphians

A quiet threat is growing in Philadelphia. It’s sold in bright packages and marketed as a harmless herbal pick-me-up. Behind its “natural” image lies a drug that can be just as dangerous as opioids. Kratom is a plant-based substance that has been making its way into smoke shops, wellness stores, and even convenience counters across Philadelphia. Marketed as a “natural” energy booster or pain reliever, kratom acts on the brain’s opioid receptors, meaning it can be addictive and dangerous despite its legal status. Lately, kratom has captured headlines, including extensive [...]

2025-08-15T13:35:34-04:00August 15th, 2025|Addiction & Recovery|
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BlazeBorn Band: AMLA Summer Music Graduates Rock and Roll

HealthyMindsPhilly interviewed BlazeBorn‘s band members after they performed at a local event. Elizabeth Melendez (15), Layla Delarosa Adrian (15), Inesanned Santiago (16), Nicolas Castillo (16), Zahir Cordero-Severino (18), Genesis Garcia Vega (15), and Daniela America Soriano Gonzalez (19) met while attending Esperanza’s AMLA Summer Music program. Although they have been playing together for just seven months, the band’s seven members feel “pretty close.” At AMLA program, music is more than just notes and lyrics-it’s a lifeline for young people seeking connection, self-expression, and personal growth. The impact of their songwriting [...]

2025-07-21T09:25:02-04:00July 21st, 2025|Family & Youth, Mental Health, Music and Mental Health, Self-Help|
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New Work Requirements for SNAP and Medicaid

If you have Medicaid or get help to buy food through SNAP, there are new rules that you’ll need to follow soon. The new rule is called “Work Requirements” Work Requirements for SNAP will start on October 2025. Work Requirements for Medicaid will start on December 31, 2026. What SNAP (Food Stamps) Recipients will be affected by Work Requirements? For SNAP benefits, adults ages 18 to 54 without children must also work, volunteer, or be in job training for at least 80 hours per month. Starting in October 2025, adults up to 54 years of age must [...]

2025-07-18T08:44:16-04:00July 18th, 2025|Community, Family & Youth|
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Nature-Based Therapy Tools for Enhancing Well-being

Connecting with nature is important for your well-being. For many of us, being in contact with nature can help us feel better. Some often report feeling better after doing activities outdoors or even when caring for plants indoors. According to the National Institute of Health, “Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being.” Nature-based therapy, also called ecotherapy, green therapy, or horticultural therapy, uses nature as a tool for healing. It is part of holistic approaches to maintain our well-being and improve our health. [...]

2025-07-08T15:53:31-04:00July 8th, 2025|Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|
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