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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.

Understanding Gaming Addiction: A Modern Concern for Families

Video games have grown from a hobby into a major part of everyday life. From early arcade games like Pac-Man to today’s immersive online worlds and competitive esports, gaming has evolved into an industry that entertains billions around the globe.  For many, playing video games is a fun, social activity and even a way to build skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. But for some people, especially young people, gaming can slip from being an enjoyable pastime into something more concerning: gaming addiction. The World Health Organization added “gaming [...]

2025-09-08T15:52:38-04:00September 8th, 2025|Addiction & Recovery, Family & Youth|
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Volunteering for Suicide Prevention in High School Made Me a Healthier Adult

I struggled with mental health in my teen years. I grew up in a place where I thought that I could not talk about my struggles without feeling ashamed or being pitied. Growing up, suicide prevention was close to my heart because of my own suicidality. My high school was not a place where mental health was discussed, and suicide prevention efforts did not involve students. With the support of adults who understood the importance of preventing suicide in school, a group of my classmates and I decided to do [...]

2025-09-05T11:21:14-04:00September 1st, 2025|Lived Experience, Suicide Prevention|
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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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Healthy Minds Philly is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, City of Philadelphia

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