UIC Urban Youth Trauma Center

02/17/2026

02/12/2026

Signs to help us identify healthy vs unhealthy relationships

Every relationship has moments that help us feel cared for, valued, and respected, and moments that may leave us unsure or uncomfortable.

Learning to recognize the difference can help you understand what is healthy and what might be a sign that something is not right!

You deserve relationships where your voice is heard, your boundaries are honored, and you are safe being yourself. 💚

☎️ If you or someone you know is in harm, help is available!

Love is Respect:
Call 1-800-787-3224 OR text “LOVEIS” to 22522

02/12/2026

Being able to identify and support our youth going through troubling times can be the stepping stone in healing. Join us in learning about the first best practice in supporting youth around us in efforts to promote crime prevention.

02/04/2026

https://chicagodefender.com/the-chicago-defenders-black-history-month-2026-highlights-event-calendar/

February is the time to celebrate, reflect, and engage with the rich history and culture of the Black community. From family-friendly events to fashion showcases, museum exhibitions, and live performances, Chicago offers countless opportunities to learn, connect, and support Black creators, entrepre...

01/22/2026

A small pause for a body check in!

Stress has a way of settling into our bodies without us noticing. Gently unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders, and take a deep breath. Small moments of care throughout the day matter.

01/05/2026

The return to school after Christmas can feel heavier than other transitions.
Weeks of connection, slower mornings, flexible routines and togetherness suddenly give way to separation, noise, structure and expectation.

If your child is showing more tears, worries, meltdowns or resistance right now, it isn’t a step backwards.
It’s a nervous system recalibrating from safety and connection back into demand.

You’re not doing anything wrong — and neither are they.

We’re sharing posts to help children transition back to school after the Christmas break.
Explore our recent posts and access our free downloadable resources to support regulation, reassurance and smoother mornings.

01/05/2026

A helpful analogy!

Ever noticed how a child can “hold it together” all day… then explode at home? It is also relevant for us as adults.

This is one of my favourite ways to explain why that happens — and it’s simple enough to do with a real Coke bottle.

Sit with your child and pass the bottle back and forth.
As you talk about their day, gently shake it each time a stress or trigger comes up. Share your own triggers also.
Noise. Work pressure. Friendship stuff. Trying to behave. Trying not to cry.

Then pause and ask:
“What do you think will happen if I take the top off now?”

That moment matters.

It helps children see that the explosion isn’t about being naughty or out of control — it’s about pressure building with nowhere to go.

From there, you can explore the real question:
How do we take the lid off without an explosion?

We talk about letting the bottle settle first.
Deep breathing.
Quiet time.
Food.
Movement.
Connection.
Time to decompress.

Regulation isn’t about forcing calm.
It’s about releasing pressure safely — a little at a time.

👉 You can find The Coke Bottle Activity linked in the comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

I’d love to know — what “shakes the bottle” most for your child after school?

12/10/2025

The can be a particularly difficult time for those experiencing grief. A call, text, or check-in can help someone who feels alone. For anyone feeling emotional distress, the is available to talk. Call or text 988 or chat online 988lifeline.org

12/10/2025

During a traumatic event, anything associated with the experience may become linked in our brains to the trauma. This can include sounds, smells, situations, feelings, or people that become and/or loss reminders. Download our new infographic here: https://bit.ly/4pSl9vt

10/28/2025

https://t.e2ma.net/message/84k4eg/csh4ndqd

10/22/2025

https://t.e2ma.net/message/kqt9gk/ski7h05d

10/05/2025

https://today.uic.edu/podcast/rhythms-of-resilience-with-jaleel-abdul-adil-how-does-music-support-mental-health-and-trauma-recovery/

In this episode, Grace Khachaturian sits down with Jaleel Abdul-Adil, co-director of the Urban Youth Trauma Center, professor of clinical psychology in the College of Medicine and founder of Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S! — a trauma-informed prevention and intervention program that uses rap and hip-hop cultur...