About Janine Monico

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

Finding Harmony: Leah’s Journey of Self-Care and Community Support in Philadelphia

At 29, Leah, a West Philadelphia native, is navigating the complexities of adulthood while embracing her passion for music and mental health advocacy. Her story is proof of the power of self-care, creativity, and community to fostering well-being and heal from anxiety. Leah's journey with anxiety began early. "I started to experience anxiety at 8," she recalls. What others mistook for butterflies because of a crush with a classmate, Leah experienced as the grip of anxiety. Rapidly, her thoughts about a classmate became concerns about all her social relationships: “How [...]

Adopting a Pet, Caring for Myself

When I moved to the Philadelphia area in 2024, I was not planning to adopt a pet. That changed when I kept seeing the same flyer for a 1‑year‑old cat in Mt. Airy, first at a café, then at the co‑op across the street. I saw Jimmy photo and short description stayed with me. After the second sighting, I finally called Brenda’s Cat Rescue’s number. Up until then, being a pet owner did not feel realistic. My work schedule, limited resources, and past housing situations made it hard to imagine [...]

More good days, together: A mission for May

May is Mental Health Month, and this year’s focus is on helping people have more good days, together.    “Good” looks different for everyone. It doesn’t always mean being happy or productive. Sometimes a good day is simply one that feels manageable, calm, or comfortable. Start building more good days, together, with these tips:  Define what “good” means to you. Ask yourself, “What does a good day look like for me?”  On a low-energy day, "good" might mean staying hydrated, taking five minutes to sit in the sun, or finally [...]

When Pot Makes You Sick: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

As marijuana becomes more available and socially accepted, many people see it as a natural way to relax, sleep, or manage pain. But for some frequent, long‑term users, marijuana can trigger a little‑known condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS); it is characterized by repeated episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and belly pain that can be frightening and disabling. CHS usually appears after years of regular cannabis use, often daily or near‑daily. Early on, people may notice morning nausea, decreased appetite, or vague stomach discomfort, but still go about their [...]

2026-05-05T08:55:37-04:00May 5th, 2026|Awareness|
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