The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to address concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines.   In this webinar, the Health Department shares data and information about the development and safety of the vaccines; DBHIDS Chief Medical Officer Sosunmolu Shoyinka, M.D. provides tips to handle vaccine anxiety; and DBHIDS Certified Peer Specialist Nerrissa Mixon shares about her decision-making process to get the vaccine.  You are not alone if you’re feeling nervous about the new, urgently developed vaccines. Despite the [...]

Researchers and public health experts continue to collect important data on children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the full impact of pandemic mitigation measures on child/adolescent mental health may not be known for some time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to pandemic-related stressors, there may be unintended consequences of public health efforts to effectively manage the pandemic, including reduced or modified access to places such as schools and clinical and community agencies where trained adult professionals are able to identify and [...]

by Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) As we approach the anniversary of the onset of COVID worldwide, people all over the world are experiencing a variety of emotions. As a result of COVID, most people have experienced isolation, stress, anxiety, and confusion at some point. Many have lost loved ones. Many others have lost their usual source of income. Reading and hearing about the number of deaths from COVID is distressing. Family and other relationships have [...]