Blog - Page 2 of 62 - Healthy Minds Philly®

Luis’s Path as a Certified Peer Specialist

Janine Monico2025-03-06T15:37:00-05:00February 28th, 2025|Certified Peer Specialists, Training|

“Working in this field has been transformative, opening doors I never imagined possible.” Luis, a 51-year-old Philadelphian, works as a Certified Peer Specialist. His experiences living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Schizoaffective Disorder have helped him become a Certified Peer Specialist and work with others who need mental health services. It all started in 2022 when Luis realized his potential to help others facing similar mental health challenges. “Learning about Certified Peer Specialists classes through DBHIDS got me excited. I enrolled in the training and loved it.” Luis [...]

Neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and Afro-Indigenous Path to Adulthood

Janine Monico2025-02-19T10:54:22-05:00February 19th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience|

"The stressors of this moment in my life are transitioning into adulthood and figuring out who I am. What is my identity? What is the career path that I plan to pursue," Rouge reflected. Rouge, a 22-year-old West Philadelphian, sat down with HMP to share their experiences navigating the stressors that come with becoming an independent adult. For them, the transition period is marked by a deep exploration of their intersecting identities as a Black and Indigenous neurodivergent LGBTQ+ Philadelphian, each aspect bringing its own unique challenges and strengths. Rouge’s [...]

Grit and Determination: Will’s Example

Janine Monico2025-02-12T09:56:28-05:00February 12th, 2025|Community, Lived Experience|

Will Ellsworth, a born and raised South Philadelphian, embodies the gritty spirit of his hometown through his multifaceted musical talents. As a guitarist, singer, pianist, drummer, and record producer, Ellsworth has shown grit and determination through his journey in the music industry. As Will was performing in City Hall, Will shared how he approaches his career goals and maintains his mental health while pursuing the challenging music business. “I do my best to stay positive and mindful,” he shared. Growing up in South Philly, Will was deeply influenced by legendary [...]

Dance & Movement for Trauma Recovery

Janine Monico2025-02-11T15:54:28-05:00February 11th, 2025|Community, Self-Help|

“Movement was my first language.” Grace, a 33-year-old Philadelphian, specializes in helping kids and people of all ages develop a deep awareness of who they are, lean into their innate creativity, process trauma, and move more fluidly through life transitions. As a Dance/Movement Therapist (DMT) and Somatic Therapist, Grace stresses that “movement is so important for children. Moving is foundational to building their sense of who they are. Children’s individuation process is embodied.” Moving, touching things, and exploring the space all allow kids to build body awareness. They build both physical [...]