January 08, 2024
Self Care Through Hair, an initiative from Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC), is the first program of its kind to utilize barbers and hairdressers to tackle the stigma and struggle of mental health in the Black community. Barbers receive training in Black Mental Health First Response, which is coaching from BMHC that gives participants instruction on how to offer support to a person facing a mental health crisis. The training teaches barbers to engage in active listening, recognize trauma and distress and reduce stigma within their communities. It also creates partnerships with psychotherapists, if barbers and hairdressers want to refer people in need to other experts.