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Within the energetic neighborhood of this area, known for its entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic social life, a subtle change is taking place. Here, beauticians are embracing roles as emotional wellness counselors, giving supportive conversations in addition to grooming.

A Pioneer in Community Support

The stylist, 49 years old, has invested twenty years not merely cutting and styling locks but additionally giving psychological support to her patrons. Someone who left school early, Tano once was employed as a bank cashier before finding her calling in styling.

“Stay positive,” she advised a concerned young person nervous over academic failure. “If you don’t succeed, how can you think that everything is lost in life?”

Mental Health in the Continent: A Stigma Subject

According to the WHO, in excess of 116 million people in Africa face emotional disorders. Yet, counseling is scarce, with only 1.4 mental health workers present per each 100,000 people.

Throughout Black communities, hairdressing salons are now trusted environments, particularly in localities with little or no options for mental health care.

Heal by Hair: A Project Creating Impact

This charitable group, operating in one country, another nation, and a third location, started the Heal by Hair program. As stated by the program's creator, the founder, in excess of hundreds of stylists received instruction over the past couple of years to serve as initial support providers, helping more than a large number of female clients.

Within this decade, the aim is to educate over 1,000 hairdressers across 20 countries.

‘The Faith Is Already Present’

The project originated due to a personal heartbreak. Over a decade ago, she experienced a murder during on a trip the region of her homeland. The incident is still open.

“I passed the initial evening as a widow with my hairdresser,” she recalled. “The hairdresser became the one I felt safe with the most that night since you’re just surrounded by people and you don’t know who could have done this.”

Driven by these events, the organization conducted a 2021 study across several French-speaking nations. The data indicated that 77% of responders revealed talking to their beauticians, and in excess of the vast majority of professionals reported that customers had requested guidance.

Training and Support

The initiative includes a no-cost, intensive three-day program with psychiatrists and advisors who instruct trainees about supportive dialogue, violence against women, indicators of emotional distress, and fundamental psychological concepts. Once finished, they are evaluated before obtaining a diploma.

“The training went very well … I earned my qualification and this knowledge,” commented another hairdresser, referencing a educational material in her salon in Abobo.

Throughout six months, hairdressers obtain continuous assistance through peer groups and access to a professional support network. If a client reveals deeper troubles, beauticians can direct them to professional psychologists, or in cases of abuse at home, to the law enforcement.

Challenges and Triumphs

Initially, resources for the initiative relied on the founder's own money, but now, individual contributors and organizations like a support agency are helping. Nevertheless, resources remain limited for the scale of the task facing the group's compact crew of workers and about supporters.

In spite of these difficulties, the program has accounts of success and improvement. In one country, a hairdresser took on a person who had been in a treatment center, providing social rehabilitation.

“Frequently following treatment and you’ve been hospitalised, people say you have problems,” explained de Putter. “So if you find work and an employer who welcomes to guide you, you break free from the misconception.”

A further stylist left her home as she was a survivor of abuse, but today helps people. Locally, stylists report that several gentlemen have begun to approach for advice.

A Sense of Fulfillment

Within the stylists, is present a general sense of fulfillment over their emergence as a source of comfort in their communities.

“As clients approach share their issues to me, it’s a pride for me too since I know that I provide support for someone,” commented Gueu. “I believe that each person needs a confidant.”

“For numerous hairdressers, it’s their first recognition as a influencer in their society and a guardian,” noted the founder. “They state to us: ‘Before I only working as a hairdresser, today I do healing.’”