Community Archives - Page 2 of 13462 - Healthy Minds Philly®

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 [...]

Janine Monico2025-02-19T10:54:22-05:00February 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 [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:26:32-04:00February 12th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience, Music and Mental Health|

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 [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:26:42-04:00February 11th, 2025|Community, Music and Mental Health, Self-Help|

Dancing for Mental Health

Every Friday evening, music and laughter fill the halls of the Polish Home in Philadelphia. At 7 p.m., seven women get together to dance, share stories, and keep their cultural heritage alive. But the Friday dance meeting is not only about tradition and movement. It’s also about community, connection, well-being, and mental health. Did you know that dancing and socializing with friends offer significant mental health and well-being benefits? Dancing can boost your mood, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The physical activity of dancing releases endorphins [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:26:55-04:00January 30th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience, Music and Mental Health, Self-Help|