“Gentrification and the Mind: Understanding Mental Health Challenges in Chicago’s Changing Neighborhoods”
Introduction
Author: Nia-Blessing S Armstrong
Department: UIC Institute for Policy & Civic Engagement
Advisor: Dr. Joseph K. Hoereth, IPCE / Alexander Diaz, Graduate Assistant, UIC-IPCE
Abstract: This study investigates the mental health impacts of gentrification in Chicago's historically marginalized neighborhoods, with a focus on communities of color in Pilsen, Little Village, and Chinatown. Rooted in both personal experience and a qualitative literature review, this research explores how systemic displacement, rooted in historical redlining and urban segregation, contributes to psychological distress, anxiety, and disrupted access to healthcare. Findings indicate that gentrification exacerbates mental health disparities by disproportionately affecting Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), shifting resources away from long-term residents, and dismantling vital social networks. Displacement-related stress manifests in poor sleep quality, heightened vigilance, and chronic fatigue—factors often overlooked in urban planning. The study draws on public health and urban development models to recommend the integration of mental health data into city planning, advocating for a Chicago-specific mental health survey and expanded access to community-based mental healthcare. By framing gentrification as not only an economic issue but also a mental health crisis, this research calls for a holistic approach to urban policy that prioritizes the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Keywords: gentrification, mental health, mutually underserved areas (MUAs), urban segregation, displacement