Suicide Prevention Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

When the Caregiver Needs Care

The people who spend their lives caring for others are often the last to notice when they need care themselves. They can recognize burnout a mile away — in others. But when it shows up in their own reflection, they see something else entirely: failure, weakness, laziness. I was reminded of this during a recent conversation on the Healthy Minds Philly chatline. The woman who reached out was in her early sixties. She was grieving a child she’d lost four years earlier, supporting her incarcerated son’s family, and caring full-time [...]

Janine Monico2026-01-28T09:20:35-05:00January 28th, 2026|Certified Peer Specialists, Lived Experience, Stress, Suicide Prevention, Support|

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|

From Suicidal Thoughts to Hope and Support

At 28-years-old, Carter began struggling with suicidal thoughts. "At first, I tried to ignore them, but when they didn’t fade, I searched online for help. When I read Danny’s story, I knew that I had to stop pretending everything was fine. My best friend noticed something was going on even when I always said I was fine. When I finally opened up, it was the start of my healing." Honest conversations are so important for recovery. For Carter, starting these conversations helped him find more resources. Healthy Minds Philly offers online screenings and connections [...]

Janine Monico2025-09-13T13:27:32-04:00September 13th, 2025|Suicide Prevention|

Volunteering for Suicide Prevention in High School Made Me a Healthier Adult

I struggled with mental health in my teen years. I grew up in a place where I thought that I could not talk about my struggles without feeling ashamed or being pitied. Growing up, suicide prevention was close to my heart because of my own suicidality. My high school was not a place where mental health was discussed, and suicide prevention efforts did not involve students. With the support of adults who understood the importance of preventing suicide in school, a group of my classmates and I decided to do [...]

Janine Monico2025-09-05T11:21:14-04:00September 1st, 2025|Lived Experience, Suicide Prevention|