Hip-hop therapy is helping high schoolers cope with loss, generational trauma and teen stress

Hip-hop therapy programs are popping up in schools and communities across the country to help young people who may not have access to mental health resources — or who don’t find traditional therapy culturally relevant to them.

In the past three years, Tre’Von Johnson-Stearnes’ three aunts died and he didn’t know how to cope with the loss. 

He would find himself trying to shop, sleep or eat the grief away but nothing worked. He tried traditional therapy but couldn’t open up to his therapist, so he stopped. 

But then the Cleveland student took a new approach that felt a little more accessible: hip-hop therapy. After a few weeks, the 17-year-old student said he’s been able to begin the healing process. 

“Pain doesn’t get better unless you figure out a way forward,” Johnson-Stearnes said. “With this program, it’s a vibe and you also find out another person lost someone too and then talking about it is not as bad anymore.”

Students in the studio at Breakthrough Sounds Recording Studio in Cleveland.Shelly Gates.The intentionally named Cope Dealer program at Glenville High School in Cleveland is one of many hip-hop therapy programs popping up in schools and communities across the country. The aim is to help young people who may not have access to mental health resources — or who don’t find traditional therapy culturally relevant to them. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/hip-hop-therapy-high-schoolers-mental-health-rcna193900

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