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Across the energetic district of this area, renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic evening scene, an understated change is taking place. Locally, beauticians are stepping up roles as mental health counselors, giving supportive conversations alongside haircuts.

An Innovator in Social Aid

The stylist, a seasoned hairdresser, has dedicated a long career not only cutting and styling hair but additionally offering emotional guidance to her patrons. A school dropout, Tano earlier was employed as a financial clerk before choosing her path in hairdressing.

“Avoid negative thoughts,” Tano counseled an anxious student stressed about poor results. “Should you not pass, how can you think that your life is over in life?”

Mental Health in Africa: A Taboo Issue

According to the World Health Organization, in excess of a huge number people in Africa experience psychological issues. But, professional help is scarce, with just a handful of professionals available per 100,000 people.

Throughout local neighborhoods, beauty shops function as safe spaces, especially in regions with scarce access to mental health care.

Hairdressers as Healers: A Project Making a Difference

The Bluemind Foundation, operating in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and a third location, started the Heal by Hair initiative. Per the organization's leader, the founder, in excess of many professionals have been trained over the past two years to act as therapeutic first responders, helping over 100,000 women.

In the coming years, the goal is to educate over 1,000 hairdressers across various regions.

‘The Faith Exists There’

The project began due to an individual loss. Years back, de Putter lost her husband while visiting the region of Cameroon. The case is still open.

“I spent that difficult time in grief with my hairdresser,” she recalled. “The hairdresser became the one I confided in the most that night because one is merely in the presence of people and you don’t know who could have done this.”

Motivated by this experience, the organization carried out a 2021 study across multiple African states. The findings showed that most participants confessed to talking to their hairdressers, and over the vast majority of professionals reported that customers had asked for advice.

Coaching and Backing

The initiative involves a free, comprehensive multi-day training with specialists and advisors who instruct participants about active listening, gender-based violence, symptoms of mental strain, and introductory psychological concepts. Following the training, they are evaluated before obtaining a certificate.

“The program proved effective … I got my qualification and these tools,” said another hairdresser, referencing a mental health book in her shop in a local neighborhood.

Throughout a period of months, participants receive follow-up help through community circles and availability of a psychological referral system. In cases where a client discloses deeper troubles, stylists can refer them to qualified therapists, or in cases of domestic violence, to the police.

Difficulties and Achievements

In the beginning, funding for the program relied on the founder's own money, but currently, private donors and organizations like an international fund are providing assistance. Still, resources remain limited for the amount of work facing the organization's limited staff of employees and about 100 volunteers.

Regardless of these challenges, participants report stories of joy and healing. In Togo, a participant hired someone who had been in a mental health facility, providing social rehabilitation.

“Often following treatment and you’ve been hospitalised, people say you have problems,” noted de Putter. “However, if you have a job and someone who accepts to guide you, you break free from the taboo.”

Another stylist left her residence due to she was a subjected to harm, but today supports others. In some communities, beauticians say that several gentlemen have also sought for guidance.

Pride and Purpose

Across the hairdressers, there is a general sense of satisfaction over their emergence as a type of psychological aid in their communities.

“As people come to share their issues to me, I feel proud for me too since I realize that I am a listener for an individual,” commented the hairdresser. “I believe that we all need someone.”

“For many hairdressers, this is the premier validation as a leader in their neighborhood and a supporter,” noted she. “These women state to us: ‘In the past I was just styling, today I provide care.’”