UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center

06/20/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1366291942030305&set=a.630197782306395

A troubling new report is shining a light on a mental health crisis that doesn't get enough attention: young Black men are now dying by su***de at higher rates than their white peers.

According to recent data, su***de deaths among Black Americans have risen dramatically over the past decade, with Black men ages 20–24 experiencing some of the highest rates. Mental health experts point to a combination of factors, including trauma, economic stress, social isolation, stigma around seeking help, and a lack of access to culturally competent care.

At the same time, more Black men are speaking openly about their mental health. This week, Lil Nas X shared that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and sought treatment through rehab, a reminder that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

The conversation around Black men's mental health is changing—but many say more support, resources, and understanding are still needed.

Source: Capital B News

06/19/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/well/mind/trigger-trauma-meaning.html

This popular term is often misused, experts say, which may cause more harm than good.

05/03/2026

PBS show on "how trauma gets passed to the next generation":

18 likes, 2 comments. "Trauma's Echo: Genes, Brains, and Your Lifetime Impact | NOVA | PBS"

05/02/2026

Dr. Jaleel Abdul-Adil visited the Habilitative Systems Inc. (HSI) violence prevention team to provide the Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S.! "Rap-tivism" training to prepare HSI's youth violence prevention ambassadors for civic activism and leadership to celebrate National Youth Violence Prevention Week ( )

04/28/2026

UYTC is celebrating and supporting National Youth Violence Prevention Week this week (April 27th - May 1st, 2026)!

04/28/2026

The UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center team presented a poster at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago on the importance of promoting resilience through trauma informed, restorative and healing centered practices, and shared information about the impact of a training and implementation partnership with a community organization proviging after school programing to children.

04/28/2026

Lived experience experts promote community healing by fostering trust, reducing stigma, and informing trauma-informed policies through their firsthand knowledge of challenges like mental health struggles, homelessness, or systemic injustice. They act as peers, mentors, and advisors who validate others' struggles, provide empathetic support, and co-design effective, user-centered services. The UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center team, in partnership with SISTAMoms provided a workshop at the MidWestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago to provide guidelines for partnering with Lived Experience Experts to support healing from trauma.

04/27/2026

Week is about: 1)Focusing on making the world a safer place for everyone, especially children; 2)Learning how to be kind, respectful, and understanding with each other, so we can all feel safe and happy; 3) Recognizing when you or others might be struggling and seeking support; and 4)Remembering how important it is to everyone with respect.

The UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center has developed a coloring book for children with strategies that can be used by children to participate in violence prevention.

04/27/2026

Last week, as part of Week, the UYTC team joined SISTAMoms at an event that emphasized Economic empowerment and financial support as ways to increase financial autonomy for vulnerable individuals, which reduces the need for survival-based, risky behaviors. The event featured featuring Dr. Natalie D.A. Bennett, Director of Women’s Leadership and Resource Center at the University of Ilinois at Chicago. During the event, particpants shared in peace circle format how they would participate in violence prevention efforts in the community.

04/20/2026

In recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention Week 2026, the Urban Youth Trauma Center is emphasizing information and resources to promote restorative practices.