Blog - Page 10 of 58 - Healthy Minds Philly®

Mind Matters: Mental Health and the African American Community

Janine Monico2023-01-23T18:38:41-05:00February 13th, 2023|Mental Health, Racial Equity|

One of the reasons I started to work at Girard Medical Center was so I could better understand my mother’s addiction and depression. She behaved in ways I did not understand. I always wondered what made her so critical, mean, and sad. In fact, I did not understand why a lot of people in my family acted the way they did. Growing up, I heard a lot of code words being used for mental health. For example: “Don’t mess with her, she doesn't take no stuff” or “You know something [...]

Can A Clean Mirror Heal Us?

Janine Monico2023-02-07T12:02:27-05:00February 1st, 2023|Lived Experience, Racial Equity|

Last September, I wrote a blog on What Recovery Means to Me to share the lessons I have learned and am still learning in my recovery process. One of the promises I made and kept was to return to college and finish my undergraduate degree. By the grace of my Higher Power and with a lot of determination, I re-enrolled at Temple University. The year was 2013, and I was back at TUUUUUUUU!!! However, I faced another roadblock. What will be my major? Do I finish my degree in African-American [...]

Racism & My Mental Health

Janine Monico2023-02-07T12:05:21-05:00January 12th, 2023|Lived Experience, Racial Equity|

In 1961, James Baldwin was asked by a radio host about being Black in America. “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious,” Baldwin said, “is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time and in one’s work.” Racism takes a huge toll on one’s mental health. Racism affects how people operate in the workplace, at home, and in social settings. In my 20’s, racism caused me to be an angrier person. If I knew I would have to be in a [...]

Can Your Family Doctor Diagnose Depression and Anxiety?

Janine Monico2023-02-07T12:07:38-05:00December 12th, 2022|Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health|

Mental health conditions such as depression, panic, stress, and anxiety are extremely common and affect one out of every five persons living in the United States. Substance use disorders affect approximately one in every 10 people. Although these conditions can be very distressing, they are also highly treatable. But can your family doctor diagnose depression or anxiety? Many persons living with mental health conditions initially seek treatment within primary care. Indeed, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of primary care visits are due to concerns related to mental [...]