Mental Health Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

Spring Fever or Spring Mania? What to Know if You Live with Bipolar Disorder

The temperature is hitting 70 and the sun finally feels warm. The first hints of spring have many people welcoming mood changes, which can sometimes be referred to as “Spring Fever.” But those with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to experiencing hypomania or mania in the spring. Suddenly you have more energy, sleep feels less necessary, and your brain fires off more ideas than you know what to do with. “Spring mania” is not a formal diagnosis, but it’s a real pattern clinicians and researchers have observed. Why? Seasonal changes in [...]

Janine Monico2026-03-11T09:26:11-04:00March 11th, 2026|Awareness, Mental Health|

Finding Strength in Self-Love: A Path to Healthier Minds and Hearts

In a city as energetic and demanding as Philadelphia, it’s natural to pour your time and attention into family, work, school, and community all before pausing to ask, How am I doing? But to keep showing up for the people and places you care about, it is important to turn some of that same care inward. Self-love is not selfish; it’s the foundation of emotional balance, resilience, and overall well-being. Understanding Self-Love Self-love means treating yourself with the same kindness and respect you offer others. It is recognizing your worth, setting [...]

Janine Monico2026-02-25T14:39:17-05:00February 25th, 2026|Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|

When Christmas Isn’t Merry: Coping with the Holiday Blues

For many people, Christmas can be less about carols and more about the blues. The holiday season can be the “most wonderful time of the year;” but for others, Christmas can feel heavy, lonely, or even painful. It is a completely valid way to experience this time. The constant pressure to be cheerful, whether from music, advertising, or social media, can add shame, as if not liking Christmas means something is wrong with you. The truth is that for some people the holiday season can bring grief, stress, or memories [...]

Janine Monico2025-12-20T16:18:59-05:00December 20th, 2025|Awareness, Depression, Faith & Spirituality, Holidays, Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|

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|