The continued increase in urban violence and the impact of structural, institutional and personal racism intersecting with the devastating economic impact of the pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus is having a traumatic effect on African American and Latino children, youth and adolescents that is somewhat unique from other populations. To address this population, DCF is collaborating with eight community organizations to design Urban Trauma Collective Care Centers. By implementing an alternative intervention designed to uniquely meet the mental health needs of African American and Latino children living in urban communities, these eight organizations can close the mental health treatment gaps associated with this population.

What exactly is Urban Trauma?

• A deep-rooted psychological and genetic condition that is caused by racially motivated toxic stress in urban settings
• ​Urban trauma features six key characteristics:

• Anger
• ​Mistrust
• ​Manipulation
• ​Fear
• ​Perceptual Error 
• ​Rejection

1. These behaviors may present in isolation, but when considered in combination, they manifest as urban trauma.
2. ​Urban trauma is NOT a label or condition.
3. Urban trauma IS a framework to identify, reclaim, and heal from structural racism. 
4. ​Emancipation from urban trauma WILL break cycles of oppression.
5. ​Understanding urban trauma through the Urban Trauma® Informed learning program offers an essential tool for anyone helping those who seek to overcome generational and inherited trauma, marking an important step toward a path of healing.
6. ​Drawing from historical events, intergenerational biology, and psychology, this program expertly illustrates that not only is urban trauma real but that by invalidating its existence, we deny communities of color the chance to heal and break the cycle.
7. ​The ultimate goal? Move those who have experienced urban trauma from a state of merely surviving toward a future of thriving.

Link to description of Urban Trauma Centers:
https://maysaakbar.com/utpic/

these eight organizations can close the mental health treatment gaps

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