Juice WRLD Listening Party Attempts To Connect, Educate Teens

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A Chicago Heights community youth group is using pop culture to address mental health issues in local teenagers.

The New Chicago Heights Community Committee will host a Juice Wrld listening party on Jan. 7 as part of a string of youth-centered activities in an attempt to connect young people with mental health resources.

A spokeswoman for the event told Patch the group hopes the listening party will help teens and their parents realize how substance abuse is talked about in art and entertainment.

The initiative is sponsored by Chicago Heights Alderwoman Sonia Perez and Southland Recovery Coalition. The event will take place at Margaritas Bar and Grill in Lynwood, though a spokeswoman said most events for the committee take place in Chicago Heights such as the recent "Anime Cafe" to encourage teenagers to draw and talk together.

Chicago rapper Juice Wrld died in 2019 after an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine, according to family members. Eventgoers at the committee's party will listen to his album, Fighting Demons, which was released posthumously on Dec. 10.

"It is estimated that 1 in 7 youths in between the ages of 10 - 19 will experience mental health conditions. But many of these are unrecognized and untreated," a poster for the event read.

The party is planned to go from 7 - 10 p.m. and will feature food, raffles and other games.