Self-Help Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

Spending, Stress, and Saying No: Setting Holiday Boundaries That Protect Your Mental Health

Christmas is often marketed as a season of joy, generosity, and “perfect” celebrations, but for many Philadelphia residents, it also brings real financial stress. Rising prices, higher interest rates, and expectations around gifts, travel and special meals can turn December into a month of anxiety and strain instead of joy and connection. If the idea of Holiday celebration is centered in gifts and experiences, the expenses can pile up quickly: gifts for family, office or school exchanges, donations, parties, outfits, travel, and extra food. More than half of American think [...]

Janine Monico2025-12-22T15:17:03-05:00December 22nd, 2025|Holidays, Self-Help|

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|

Mind Your Holidays: A Season for Compassion, Connection, and Care

The Holidays Aren’t Easy for Everyone The holiday season often brings excitement, gatherings, and good cheer; but for many, it can also stir up feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and grief. At Population Health’s Healthy Minds Philly Initiative, we recognize that the holidays can look different for everyone. As part of our community commitment to mental well-being, we’re inviting you to Take the Pledge to Mind Your Holidays - to bring mindfulness, compassion, and care into every part of the season. Why "Mind Your Holidays" Matters Behind the glitter and festivities, some people [...]

Janine Monico2025-11-04T10:11:05-05:00November 3rd, 2025|Awareness, Holidays, Self-Help|

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|