24-HOUR NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE | Call 988 | YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInYouTube

About Janine Monico

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

Addiction Recovery Resources: From pop culture to worksheets

Searching for DIY addiction recovery resources? There are millions, so we’ve created a manageable list of addiction recovery activities and tools to help anyone at any stage of their recovery journey.  Helpful resources on your Smart Phone Addiction recovery apps put resources right at your fingertips, and many are free. Rising to the top of “Best Apps” lists are reSET and reSET-O, FDA-approved addiction recovery apps. Two other popular choices are Headspace, a mindfulness tool and Sober Grid, for peer support, progress tracking, and more. Pop culture: Entertainment, creativity and healing Music lovers know that the right blend of lyrics and melodies can strike an emotional chord. Addiction recovery songs can be strong motivators and healers whether you are coming to grips with addiction or need to be reminded that recovery is possible. Popular addiction recovery songs include “Not Afraid” by Eminem, “Sober” by Pink, and “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers. For playlists, check out: Songs to listen to in recovery Songs about sobriety and addiction recovery When it comes to the power of expression, art is another proven medium. Addiction recovery art ranges from words-to-live-by collages to painting to affirmation art projects. For ideas, try this site: Art project ideas to aid in recovery. Addiction recovery films are a great way to hear important healing messages [...]

2022-11-07T13:37:50-05:00December 1st, 2022|Addiction & Recovery|
Read More

On International Men’s Day: Be Respectful of Women

Since 1999, Nov. 19 has been designated as International Men’s Day. The day has been used to celebrate men who are role models to their families, communities, and the world. This year’s theme is better relations between men and women. Conflict between men and women is as old as mankind itself and has been depicted in Biblical tales, romance novels, movies, and television soap operas as well as real life courtroom dramas and “Me Too” era sexual harassment lawsuits publicized in the media. Arguably the most consequential conflict between men and women on the national stage earlier this year was the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark legislation that gave women the constitutional right to an abortion. This decision is a legal win for “pro-life” men and women. However, many women argue that this male majority legal decision was driven by men seeking to control women’s reproductive lives. Women are not alone in this analysis, as many men disagree with the Supreme Court decision and support a woman’s right to choose. Regardless of what side of the argument men find themselves on, there are things men can do to support women during this challenging time in our country’s history. Men can be nonjudgmental when engaging in hot-button discussions that are important to women such as [...]

2022-11-14T11:27:17-05:00November 14th, 2022|Men's Health|
Read More

SAD: It’s More Common Than You Think

Have you experienced changes in appetite, trouble sleeping, low energy, and difficulty concentrating? How about feeling sad or not like your usual self? Do you notice feeling a bit down as the fall/winter arrives and days get shorter? If so, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (also know as “the winter blues”). and it’s more common than you may think. What is SAD? SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, is a form of seasonal depression most apparent by changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change. For most cases of SAD, symptoms begin in late fall or early winter and go away in spring and summer. This is referred to as winter-pattern SAD. Some experience depressive episodes in the spring and summer called summer-pattern SAD. One important thing to remember is that it is more common than you think.  Who gets SAD? It is estimated to affect 10 million people yearly. SAD occurs more often in women than men, and more often in people who live further north of the equator. Amongst these millions, many may experience the symptoms, but not know they have it. What can I do if I am experiencing symptoms of SAD? If you experience symptoms, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider and/or mental health counselor. If you are comfortable confiding in [...]

2022-11-07T09:56:14-05:00November 7th, 2022|Awareness, Depression, Mental Health|
Read More

Veterans are a Vital ‘Special Population’ Within Philadelphia

Nearly 70,000 veterans reside in Philadelphia as of the 2020 Census Veterans are greeted so often with “Thank you for your service” that it has become cliché. But those thanks — without the knowledge or passion of knowing what you are being thankful for — is meaningless for those hearing these words. Veterans are a multifaceted population with a distinct culture that includes values, customs, ethos, selfless duty, codes of conduct, implicit patterns of communication, and obedience to command. They also experience mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideation, homelessness, traumatic brain injury, and a multitude of physical ailments at disproportionate rates compared to their civilian counterparts. So: “Thank you for your service” without “Thank you for your sacrifice” is no thanks at all. This is where we as a community can and should make a difference. Veterans and their key support system, their families, experience sacrifice from the time they take their oath “to serve and protect” and leave their families for basic training. The sacrifice continues through their duty assignments and includes following service orders that may involve participating in hazardous activities. Their sacrifice built the backbone of this country, and they have put their lives on hold and at risk to protect it. They answered the call of duty, fought wars, and provided humanitarian [...]

2022-10-17T11:09:21-04:00November 4th, 2022|Awareness, Veterans|
Read More

Healthy Minds Philly is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, City of Philadelphia

Go to Top