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Across the energetic district of this area, renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and active evening scene, an understated change is unfolding. Here, hairdressers are embracing functions as psychological well-being supporters, offering someone to talk to alongside haircuts.

A Pioneer in Local Assistance

The stylist, a seasoned hairdresser, has invested twenty years not only working on locks but also offering mental health advice to her customers. Someone who left school early, the hairdresser previously worked as a teller before choosing her path in hairdressing.

“Avoid negative thoughts,” she advised an anxious young person fearing academic failure. “Even if you fail, how can you think that you have failed in life?”

Psychological Care in the Region: A Stigma Subject

According to the global health body, in excess of millions of people in the continent face psychological issues. Yet, professional help is in short supply, with just a handful of professionals present per each 100,000 people.

Across local neighborhoods, beauty shops have become safe spaces, especially in areas with little or no options for mental health care.

Heal by Hair: An Initiative Creating Impact

The Bluemind Foundation, active in Cameroon, another nation, and Togo, initiated the Hairdresser Healing initiative. As stated by the organization's leader, Marie-Alix de Putter, in excess of hundreds of stylists received instruction during the previous 24 months to serve as therapeutic first responders, reaching more than a large number of female clients.

By 2030, the aim is to educate more than numerous professionals across multiple nations.

‘The Faith Exists There’

The program originated by an individual loss. In 2012, she experienced a murder while on a trip her home country Cameroon. The incident remains unsolved.

“I endured that difficult time in grief in the company of my beautician,” she recalled. “The hairdresser became the person I confided in the most as one is merely in the presence of others and there's uncertainty who could have done this.”

Inspired by her story, the group carried out a recent survey across multiple African states. The findings indicated that 77% of responders revealed talking to their beauticians, and in excess of 90% of hairdressers reported that customers had asked for advice.

Coaching and Backing

The project features a complimentary, intensive multi-day program with mental health experts and advisors who instruct hairdressers about supportive dialogue, gender-based violence, symptoms of mental strain, and basic psychological concepts. Once finished, they are evaluated before being awarded a credential.

“The training went very well … I received my qualification and this,” said another hairdresser, referencing a mental health book in her shop in Abobo.

Throughout six months, trainees obtain follow-up help through community circles and availability of a psychological referral system. In cases where a client discloses serious issues, beauticians can direct them to professional psychologists, or in cases of family conflict, to the authorities.

Challenges and Triumphs

Initially, funding for the project was primarily from personal funds, but now, philanthropists and organizations like France’s Development Innovation Fund are helping. However, resources remain limited for the scale of the task facing the group's compact crew of workers and about unpaid helpers.

Despite these difficulties, there are accounts of success and recovery. In Togo, a participant hired a person who had been in a mental health facility, offering reintegration support.

“Commonly following treatment and you were in the hospital, society labels you are unstable,” said de Putter. “However, if you have a job and someone who accepts to support you, you escape the misconception.”

Another professional left her situation because she was a subjected to harm, but today helps people. In some communities, stylists say that some male clients have also sought for advice.

A Sense of Fulfillment

Within the professionals, is present a common sentiment of fulfillment over their emergence as a form of comfort in their local areas.

“As people come to share their issues to me, it's an honor for me too as I know that I am a listener for an individual,” shared Gueu. “I reflect that we all need someone.”

“For many participants, it represents the initial recognition as a leader in their community and a guardian,” said she. “These women state to us: ‘Before I was just styling, today I provide care.’”