The program equips barbers and stylists with peer support tools they can use to become mental health advocates for their clients: active listening, validation, positive communication, and sigma reduction. The model has been studied by Harvard University and has shown to be effective in helping barbers and stylists become mental health advocates.
The Confess Project of America is an organization that has become a mental health resource, particularly geared toward Black men. This grassroots mental health initiative started in 2016 and has now trained 4,000 barbers across the country to become mental health advocates for their clients.
"The past six years have been incredibly humbling as we've experienced tremendous response and interest in our grassroots movement," said Lorenzo Lewis, founder and national spokesperson of The Confess Project.
"Growing up, I witnessed first-hand the lack of mental health resources available to the Black community and how barbers and hair stylists can serve as mental health gatekeepers. We've made great progress since I founded the organization, and I can't wait to see how The Confess Project's evolution continues," says Lewis.
Source: Parents.com
