How Cambridge University's psychiatrists are using hip-hop music to treat depression

Hip-Hop Psych is a new initiative designed to use rap lyrics to combat stigma towards mental illness.

17:33 11 November 2014

Scientists at Cambridge University are using hip-hop music to treat depression. Hip-Hop Psych is a new initiative which hopes to use rap lyrics to combat stigma towards mental illness and the lack of diversity within the psychiatric profession.

Co-founder psychiatrist Dr Akeem Sule, said: "Much of hip-hop comes from areas of great socioeconomic deprivation, so it's inevitable that its lyrics will reflect the issues faced by people brought up in these areas, including poverty, marginalisation, crime and drugs.

"In fact, we can see in the lyrics many of the key risk factors for mental illness, from which it can be difficult to escape.

"Hip-hop artists use their skills and talents not only to describe the world they see, but also as a means of breaking free. There's often a message of hope in amongst the lyrics, describing the place where they want to be – the cars they want to own, the models they want to date."

Another co-founder, Dr Becky Inkster, added: "It's been about forty years since hip-hop first began in the ghettos of New York City and it has come a long way since then, influencing areas as diverse as politics and technology. Now we hope to add medicine to the list."