Are you a fan of hip-hop music? If so, consider checking out HIP HOP PSYCH, a mental health awareness initiative founded by a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who both love rap music. The pair has been using the genre for anti-stigma campaigns and outreach work in prisons, schools and youth hostels to educate individuals in a culturally and contextually enhanced way.
To get an idea of what they do, check out their latest essay which explores music by Eminem and Tupac to examine mental health themes including psychosis and social adversity here:
http://www.hiphoppsych.co.uk/…/hhp_tupac_eminem_freestyle_m…
"It might seem outlandish that rap can aid mental illness, but it’s not outrageously far-fetched. Since its early roots in the politically-deprived ganglands of the South Bronx, hip-hop culture has provided MCs, turntablists, B-boys and graffiti artists with an important source of empowerment. For three decades, it's offered an outlet for the apparently powerless to express themselves and a way of giving voice to their problems. If one truth in psychology is universally acknowledged, it’s that you can’t deal with pain without talking about it.
What’s less known, though, is that hip-hop is steeped in explicit and implicit references to mental illness. From Stan’s Borderline Personality Disorder to Tupac’s paranoia and psychosis, hip-hop lyrics are rich with insights into the symptoms of illnesses and the risk factors prevalent within peer groups, families and gangs. Last year, scientific research showed that gang membership is closely linked to an increased risk of psychiatric problems, and Hip Hop Psych looks to use J Cole and Kendrick as teaching tools to help combat them."
For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.hiphoppsych.co.uk/index.html
http://www.thestar.com/life/2015/10/26/hip-hop-psych-raising-awareness-about-mental-health-through-music.html
To get an idea of what they do, check out their latest essay which explores music by Eminem and Tupac to examine mental health themes including psychosis and social adversity here:
http://www.hiphoppsych.co.uk/…/hhp_tupac_eminem_freestyle_m…
"It might seem outlandish that rap can aid mental illness, but it’s not outrageously far-fetched. Since its early roots in the politically-deprived ganglands of the South Bronx, hip-hop culture has provided MCs, turntablists, B-boys and graffiti artists with an important source of empowerment. For three decades, it's offered an outlet for the apparently powerless to express themselves and a way of giving voice to their problems. If one truth in psychology is universally acknowledged, it’s that you can’t deal with pain without talking about it.
What’s less known, though, is that hip-hop is steeped in explicit and implicit references to mental illness. From Stan’s Borderline Personality Disorder to Tupac’s paranoia and psychosis, hip-hop lyrics are rich with insights into the symptoms of illnesses and the risk factors prevalent within peer groups, families and gangs. Last year, scientific research showed that gang membership is closely linked to an increased risk of psychiatric problems, and Hip Hop Psych looks to use J Cole and Kendrick as teaching tools to help combat them."
For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.hiphoppsych.co.uk/index.html
http://www.thestar.com/life/2015/10/26/hip-hop-psych-raising-awareness-about-mental-health-through-music.html
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