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Addressing trauma in children as gun violence continues to impact Philly teens
FOX29 March 12, 2021 With gun violence continuing to rise, especially among younger Philadelphians, FOX29’s “Good Morning Philadelphia” program reached out for an expert to discuss the root cause and what can be done. Behavioral Health and Justice Division Director Dr. Jean Wright appeared on the program March 12 to share insights about the development of […]
Mental health and battling depression during a pandemic
Fox 29 November 23, 2020 CMO of the Department of Behavioral Health Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka and CEO and Founder of V.O.I.C.E Laquisha Anthony joined Good Day Philadelphia to talk about mental health and battling depression especially during tough times like a pandemic. Click to watch
DBHIDS Trauma Resources in the Wake of the Death of Walter Wallace Jr.
November 4, 2020 Click to view official news release (PDF) Nov. 3, 2020, PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) shares in the sadness and grief that has swept our city. We stand in solidarity with those directly and indirectly impacted by systemic racism, injustice, and all the resulting […]
Message from Acting DBHIDS Commissioner Dr. Jill Bowen
October 29, 2020 Click to read entire official news release Dear Philadelphia Residents, Families, and Communities: The multiple layers of trauma experienced over the past several months across the country have deeply impacted us here in Philadelphia. From the ongoing disruption, uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic to the tragic deaths of black and […]
Vote on mental health policy to save lives and money in this year’s elections
Philadelphia Inquirer October 12, 2020 By Kate Fox, DBHIDS We’ve all been more than a little preoccupied with the omnipresent pandemic that is COVID-19. The United States has recently surpassed over 200,000 COVID-related deaths, many of us are juggling virtual schooling, caregiving, and remote or in-person work, and this week Pennsylvania and New Jersey have reported […]
Message from DBHIDS Commissioner David T. Jones
June 5, 2020 Click to view the complete, official release (pdf). Text of release can be viewed below. Philadelphians are impacted to the core of our being, like the rest of the world, by the compilation of traumatic events experienced over the past several months. From the ongoing uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic […]
Corona Virus Mental Health: Philadelphia Launches ‘Mindful Together’ As Pandemic Has Spiked Stress, Anxiety
CBS3 May 7, 2020 PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The COVID-19 pandemic has spiked stress and anxiety around the world. On Monday, Philadelphia launched a new campaign called “Mindful Together,” encouraging mental health awareness and for people to get help if needed. People are stressed like never before. Calls to one mental health crisis hotline are up 900%. […]
Philadelphia expands corona virus testing criteria, launches #mindPHL
6abc May 7, 2020 PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The City of Philadelphia announced a change to its testing criteria to include more people. Health Commissioner Doctor Tom Farley said on Monday that improvements in testing a lab’s abilities to process results are making this possible. Now, if you have symptoms, you can get tested regardless of how […]
City and Independence Blue Cross Launch #MindPHL Together Campaign to Connect Public to Mental Health Resources
May 4, 2020 Campaign Aims to Reduce Stigma, Encourage Philadelphians to Seek Help PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney announced today the launch of a new public awareness campaign in May which builds on national Mental Health Awareness Month. The #mindPHL Together campaign, sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and Independence Blue Cross, aims to: “Amid […]
‘The impact of the loss of human touch’: Philly-area suicide hotlines see an increase in calls related to corona virus
April 15, 2020 When Gov. Tom Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for Philadelphia-area residents on March 23, Julie Peticca braced herself for a deluge of calls to the Montgomery County suicide prevention hotline. Peticca, the director of crisis intervention at Montgomery County Emergency Service Inc., knew that isolation could exacerbate mental health issues, especially for […]
