The Hip-Hop and Mental Health Handbook for Mental Health Practitioners

Abstract

Hip-hop culture is a dynamic, multifaceted movement with profound relevance to mental health practices, albeit one that few professionals have experience with. Practitioners can develop more creative, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed approaches by understanding hip-hop culture and realizing how it can be used to improve mental health. This project articulates a literature review of several critical areas including a brief history of hip-hop culture, hip-hop through a Canadian lens, and the application of hip-hop in mental health practices. Additionally, this project includes a handbook that translates findings from the literature review into an accessible, interdisciplinary resource for professionals seeking to better understand hip-hop culture and potentially incorporate it into their practice. By increasing visibility and facilitating a better understanding of the relationship between hip-hop culture and mental health, this project aims to improve professionals’ engagement with hip-hop as a therapeutic tool in working with diverse, relevant populations.