About Janine Monico

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

Neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and Afro-Indigenous Path to Adulthood

"The stressors of this moment in my life are transitioning into adulthood and figuring out who I am. What is my identity? What is the career path that I plan to pursue," Rouge reflected. Rouge, a 22-year-old West Philadelphian, sat down with HMP to share their experiences navigating the stressors that come with becoming an independent adult. For them, the transition period is marked by a deep exploration of their intersecting identities as a Black and Indigenous neurodivergent LGBTQ+ Philadelphian, each aspect bringing its own unique challenges and strengths. Rouge’s [...]

2025-02-19T10:54:22-05:00February 19th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience|

Grit and Determination: Will’s Example

Will Ellsworth, a born and raised South Philadelphian, embodies the gritty spirit of his hometown through his multifaceted musical talents. As a guitarist, singer, pianist, drummer, and record producer, Ellsworth has shown grit and determination through his journey in the music industry. As Will was performing in City Hall, Will shared how he approaches his career goals and maintains his mental health while pursuing the challenging music business. “I do my best to stay positive and mindful,” he shared. Growing up in South Philly, Will was deeply influenced by legendary [...]

2025-02-12T09:56:28-05:00February 12th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience|

Dance & Movement for Trauma Recovery

“Movement was my first language.” Grace, a 33-year-old Philadelphian, specializes in helping kids and people of all ages develop a deep awareness of who they are, lean into their innate creativity, process trauma, and move more fluidly through life transitions. As a Dance/Movement Therapist (DMT) and Somatic Therapist, Grace stresses that “movement is so important for children. Moving is foundational to building their sense of who they are. Children’s individuation process is embodied.” Moving, touching things, and exploring the space all allow kids to build body awareness. They build both physical [...]

2025-02-11T15:54:28-05:00February 11th, 2025|Community, Self-Help|

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 [...]

2025-02-06T09:15:29-05:00February 5th, 2025|Anxiety, Lived Experience, Self-Help|
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