Why do some low-income urban youth thrive despite the ongoing stress and trauma in their lives, while others falter? Join this Urban Mental Wellness Community and find out!

This research-based website provides sobering insights on the stresses and traumas of unrelenting poverty and violence in America’s urban cities. It also uncovers major barriers that keep low-income populations from accessing community mental health services and describe what it’s like to live every day in “survival mode.”

In spite of the challenging environments and life situations that many low-income urban youth face, the positive coping behaviors and protective factors MEE uncovered may explain why some of these youth who experience ongoing stress and trauma in their lives thrive, while others crumble.  As a result of this grassroots research project, MEE has developed a culturally relevant Community Wellness Toolkit that leverages the inherent resilience of these youth, addresses stigma and provides solutions-oriented activities that can be immediately implemented in a variety of community, youth or school settings.