The groundbreaking Cope Dealer program, situated at Glenville High School in Cleveland, is at the forefront of a wave of hip-hop therapy initiatives emerging in schools and communities nationwide. The primary objective is to assist young individuals who may lack access to mental health services or find traditional therapy methods culturally irrelevant.
Directed by Shelly Gates, the Cope Dealer program focuses on imparting coping skills and actual healing techniques to its participants. Over a span of 14 weeks, teenagers engage in activities such as journaling, breath management, and community building. They tackle sensitive subjects like racial discrimination, police violence, and neighborhood unrest while crafting a collaborative song that transforms their emotions into music.
Licensed therapist and program facilitator Jerome Cash emphasizes the importance of providing a healthy outlet for expression. By adapting language and approaches to be more relatable to students, the program aims to foster a supportive environment where individuals can freely share their experiences and emotions.
Reflecting on his personal journey, participant Johnson-Stearnes recounts how sharing his grief through music helped him confront his feelings in a safe and nurturing space. He describes the Cope Dealer program as a unifying experience akin to a group embrace.
Music therapy, particularly within the realm of hip-hop, has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black and Latino youth, hip-hop therapy offers a unique avenue for emotional release and self-expression.
J.C. Hall, a clinical social worker overseeing the Hip-Hop Therapy Studio program in the Bronx, underscores the transformative power of hip-hop as a therapeutic medium. Drawing from his own life-changing encounters with the genre, Hall is confident in its ability to positively impact individuals seeking healing and catharsis.
Participant Kryst Jackson highlights his journey of self-discovery and empowerment through Mott Haven’s studio program, where he found solace in sharing his personal narrative through music. By creating tracks like “Free The Streets,” Jackson captures the challenges of his upbringing and the resilience embedded in his community.
George James, a licensed family therapist and psychologist, underscores the need for mental health professionals to adopt culturally sensitive approaches when working with Black youth. Recognizing the significance of tailored support, James advocates for frameworks that honor the unique experiences and needs of individuals seeking mental health care.
Eve’s hip-hop therapy program provides a valuable opportunity to connect with Black teenagers on their own terms. Students participating in the Cope Dealer initiative are seen here putting together their own track in a recording studio located in Cleveland. A recent 2022 study focusing on the mental health challenges faced by Black adolescents highlighted a concerning disparity – Black youths are less inclined compared to their white counterparts to seek out and receive mental health support. Reasons cited in the study for this discrepancy include negative perceptions about available services and limited access to mental health resources. Despite efforts by some individuals like Kryst and Tre’Von to engage in traditional talk therapy, they expressed disappointment with the results. James pointed out that many Black young people encounter a sense of stigma within their own community and harbor deep-seated distrust towards the medical field when considering therapy options.
James emphasized the importance of culturally relevant therapy approaches and techniques that resonate with individuals, enabling them to feel understood and comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts and emotions. One student, Angel Pinet from Mott Haven, shared how his experience in the studio program over three months has positively transformed his life. He praised the tight-knit and supportive environment fostered within the program, particularly appreciating the guidance provided by Hall, who encourages students to explore their underlying issues and challenges.
Growing up in a single-parent household with financial constraints, 17-year-old Pinet acknowledged that he hadn’t always made things easy for his mother due to his behavior at school and academic performance. It wasn’t until he composed a heartfelt song dedicated to his mother that he began to reflect on his actions and consider making positive changes. Pinet expressed how music has allowed him to dissect his experiences piece by piece, offering him a clearer understanding of his circumstances and emotions.
