HEART

About

Trauma and chronic stress disproportionately impact Black youth and are associated with lower academic functioning, cognitive declines, anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and traumatic grief. In addition, Black youth experience racial trauma- the emotional injury caused by encounters with racism and discrimination that is often unaddressed. Partnering with community-based organizations we are developing a multi-level intervention HEART (Healing through Education, Affirmation, and Rising Together). HEART involves offering HEART Groups and Workshops in the community that equip youth and adults with knowledge and skills to recognize racial trauma and traumatic stress and learn and practice coping skills. We are also developing and disseminating a youth-designed awareness campaign to highlight cultural and community protective factors that promote healing from racial trauma.