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Within the vibrant neighborhood of Yopougon, famous for its commercial energy and lively nightlife, an understated revolution is unfolding. In this place, beauticians are embracing positions as psychological well-being advisors, giving supportive conversations in addition to haircuts.

A Pioneer in Community Support

This professional, 49 years old, has dedicated twenty years not only transforming tresses but furthermore offering emotional guidance to her patrons. A school dropout, Tano once worked as a bank cashier before discovering her passion in hairdressing.

“Avoid negative thoughts,” Tano counseled a worried teenager nervous over poor results. “Should you not pass, why assume that you have failed in life?”

Psychological Care in the Continent: A Stigma Subject

Based on data from the WHO, more than millions of people in the continent experience mental health problems. However, professional help is limited, with only a handful of professionals on hand for every a large population.

Throughout local neighborhoods, beauty shops have become trusted environments, especially in areas with minimal access to therapy services.

Heal by Hair: An Initiative Bringing Change

A nonprofit organization, operating in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and a third location, initiated the Heal by Hair initiative. Per the program's creator, the director, in excess of 400 hairdressers received instruction in the last 24 months to function as therapeutic first responders, assisting in excess of 100,000 women.

By 2030, the target is to train over a thousand stylists across multiple nations.

‘The Faith Exists In Place’

The initiative began by an individual heartbreak. Over a decade ago, de Putter became a widow while on a trip her home country Cameroon. The incident is still open.

“I spent that difficult time in grief alongside my stylist,” the founder said. “The hairdresser became the one I felt safe with completely because one is merely in the presence of others and you don’t know what happened.”

Inspired by this experience, the organization completed a 2021 study across multiple French-speaking nations. The results showed that 77% of responders admitted to talking to their beauticians, and in excess of nearly all stylists reported that customers had asked for advice.

Education and Assistance

The program involves a no-cost, in-depth short-term program with mental health experts and counselors who instruct trainees about supportive dialogue, gender-based violence, symptoms of mental strain, and fundamental mental health principles. Once finished, assessments are conducted before obtaining a diploma.

“The training was highly successful … I received my certificate and this knowledge,” said a participant, showing a educational material in her shop in a local neighborhood.

Throughout six months, hairdressers get follow-up help through peer groups and access to a psychological referral system. When a patron reveals deeper troubles, stylists can refer them to qualified therapists, or for instances of abuse at home, to the police.

Challenges and Triumphs

Initially, resources for the initiative relied on the founder's own money, but currently, private donors and institutions like a support agency are contributing. Nevertheless, funding is scarce for the amount of work facing the foundation’s small team of employees and about 100 volunteers.

Regardless of these obstacles, the program has tales of happiness and improvement. Locally, a hairdresser hired a person who had been in a psychiatric hospital, giving social rehabilitation.

“Often following treatment and you've received care, others claim you have problems,” said she. “However, if you are employed and someone who accepts to support you, you get out of the taboo.”

Another stylist left her residence due to she was a survivor of abuse, but now supports others. In some communities, beauticians say that some male clients have begun to approach for guidance.

Satisfaction and Meaning

Within the stylists, exists a general sense of accomplishment over their emergence as a form of comfort in their neighborhoods.

“When clients approach share their issues to me, it's an honor for me too as I understand that I am a listener for someone,” shared Gueu. “I tell myself that we all need someone.”

“For a lot of hairdressers, it represents the initial recognition as a influencer in their society and a protector,” noted the founder. “These women state to us: ‘In the past I was just working as a hairdresser, now I provide care.’”