Does Philly’s Environment Contribute to How People Live?

Ireland Brearey

January 25th, 2022

Picture captured in NorthEast Philadelphia on January 4th, 2022 by Ireland Brearey

People who find themselves residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania often face issues with the condition of their neighborhood, the lack of necessary resources, people in social areas, etc. Although most people see these issues in news articles, the people facing these issues in their neighborhood are experiencing them firsthand and are being affected in some way.

Throughout several decades and into current years, Philadelphia leads

statistics with their levels of homicide and poverty which can negatively impact people throughout the neighborhood, whether that be mentally or physically. With all of these various issues pertaining to Philly, a lack of mental health resources is another extreme one on the list. In a high school located in NorthWest Philadelphia, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering & Science, their guidance counselors, Ms.Tatiana Olmedo and Mr. Tyrone Neal, gives their own insight of the impact of living in Philadelphia from a mental health standpoint.

“Gun violence, domestic abuse, poverty, isn't specific to Philly,” states Mr. Tyrone Neal. “Environment affects everyone.” Some other reasons as to mental health declines in the area listed by Mr.T Neal are, “Post pandemic, shortages at facilities, trauma with racial inequality in Philly, the history with Rizzo and the Move Bombing.”

Both guidance counselors were in agreement as to how mental health impacts communities, especially with Philadelphia lacking crucial resources in such dire times.

As for Ms.Tatiana Olmedo, she explains, “Mental health is real and nothing to be ashamed of, we need more professionals for access.” From a standpoint for women, she clarifies some info such as, “It's important to have spaces, where we can operate as women with certain gender roles.” “We need to take of ourselves before we become whole, our outside appearance spreads to generations,” Olmedo describes.

Guidance counselors aren’t the only ones who are speaking out about Philadelphia’s effects, so are some of its fellow residents. Particularly, Allan Clemente, an 11th grader at Carver HSES who lives in West Philly.

“Philly could be detrimental to people’s mental and physical health, people from experience have been rude at best. Some people just straight up throw trash at you, insult you, for no reason.”

Picture captured in West Philadelphia on January 2nd, 2022 by Ireland Brearey

Although Allan speaks about surrounding citizens and their negative behaviors, he does have slight hope about a possible resolution.

“It can be resolved but it will take a long time to be solved and problems don't just go away overnight. We can try to make a difference one step at a time,” he illustrates in a weary manner.

Allan Clemente is not alone with his perspective, Christa Levy, an 11th grader who resides in NorthEast Philly also has a similar viewpoint.

“I think it’s bad as it is because of the way that the systems are in place to prevent and take care of things. It’s also not just exclusive to Philly, it’s just worse here than most places,” they explain. “People are scared because they know how common these things are here and how often they go unattended. This is seen all over the country.”

To further present their frame of perspective, they explain how Philly’s citizens are an immense piece of the puzzle that makes Philly how it is and its effects on communities.

“They think they can get away with things, like crime, and try to pull stuff and it's a huge issue,” they described.” “Nothing is ever done and it continues to happen.”

Although crime, poverty, lack of resources, etc. is a global problem, Philadelphia faces its own issues that continue to leave a mark on numerous generations. As we grow, it’s important to keep in mind these issues and allow for Philly to reflect on them.

“The people in power want to stay in power, it leads all the way to the roots of the people responsible for these Philly problems and how they’re handled,” stated Christa Levy.

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