Mental Health Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

New Mural Brings Hope and Healing to North Philadelphia

Photo Credit: Steve Weinick A powerful new mural is bringing color, hope, and awareness to the walls of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia. Unveiled during Suicide Prevention Month, Embracing the Light is the latest addition to the city’s public art landscape. But it’s more than just a piece of art. It’s a call to conversation, a symbol of resilience, and a reminder that no one has to struggle alone. Created by artist James Burns in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, First Person Arts, and the Department of [...]

Janine Monico2025-10-29T12:23:14-04:00September 25th, 2025|Awareness, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Trauma|

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 [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:25:02-04:00July 21st, 2025|Family & Youth, Mental Health, Music and Mental Health, Self-Help|

Nature-Based Therapy Tools for Enhancing Well-being

Connecting with nature is important for your well-being. For many of us, being in contact with nature can help us feel better. Some often report feeling better after doing activities outdoors or even when caring for plants indoors. According to the National Institute of Health, “Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being.” Nature-based therapy, also called ecotherapy, green therapy, or horticultural therapy, uses nature as a tool for healing. It is part of holistic approaches to maintain our well-being and improve our health. [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-08T15:53:31-04:00July 8th, 2025|Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|

The Power of Social Tango Dancing: Community, Growth, and Calm

During summer, Philadelphia comes alive with festivals and public events, giving residents many chances to try new activities. These celebrations help people discover things that can enhance their well-being and bring global cultures into the city through music, food, art, and community gatherings. These occasions are a great time to embrace social dancing. A fun way to enhance overall well-being, social dancing offers physical, mental, and social benefits—such as increased confidence, reduced stress, and new friendships. To help Philadelphians discover how social dancing can improve health and happiness, HealthyMindsPhilly visited [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:26:22-04:00May 6th, 2025|Depression, Lived Experience, Mental Health, Music and Mental Health, Self-Help|