Hip-Hop Can Heal: Addressing Mental Health through Hip-Hop in the Urban Classroom

Addressing students' mental health needs has become a growing concern amongst educators and school leaders, as 25% of adolescents are known to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Moreover, students in urban contexts are more likely to experience mental health challenges as they face environmental stressors in their communities that stem from a long history of structural racism, institutional racism, and discriminatory practices. Research demonstrates that promoting positive mental health with adolescents can lessen the impact of mental health concerns. In an attempt to support educators interested in supporting their students' positive mental health, this article identifies five culturally responsive strategies anchored in hip-hop culture that can be implemented in the classrooms. The authors draw from frameworks anchored in hip-hop to develop practical strategies that classroom teachers can use to support students in processing and coping with mental health stressors.