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In the bustling district of this area, famous for its entrepreneurial spirit and lively nightlife, a quiet revolution is taking place. Locally, stylists are taking on functions as psychological well-being counselors, giving supportive conversations alongside haircuts.

An Innovator in Community Support

This professional, a seasoned hairdresser, has invested twenty years not only transforming locks but also providing mental health advice to her patrons. Someone who left school early, the hairdresser earlier worked as a financial clerk before finding her calling in the beauty industry.

“Stay positive,” she advised a worried student fearing poor results. “Should you not pass, why assume that you have failed in life?”

Mental Health in Africa: A Stigma Issue

As reported by the global health body, more than 116 million people in this region suffer from mental health problems. Yet, counseling is in short supply, with only very few specialists on hand per a large population.

Across African-descendant populations, beauty shops are now safe spaces, notably in regions with scarce availability of mental health care.

Healing Through Hair: A Project Bringing Change

This charitable group, active in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and a third location, has launched the Heal by Hair project. As stated by its founder, Marie-Alix de Putter, more than hundreds of stylists underwent coaching during the previous couple of years to act as initial support providers, reaching in excess of a large number of female clients.

By 2030, the goal is to train more than numerous professionals across multiple nations.

‘The Confidence Exists Present’

The initiative began from an individual tragedy. Over a decade ago, de Putter became a widow during traveling her home country her homeland. The incident is still open.

“I endured the initial evening after losing my husband in the company of my beautician,” the founder said. “She was the individual I confided in completely as you’re just surrounded by people and there's uncertainty who could have done this.”

Inspired by this experience, the foundation conducted a 2021 study across several African states. The findings indicated that a large majority revealed talking to their hairdressers, and over the vast majority of professionals stated that patrons had requested guidance.

Training and Support

The project features a free, intensive multi-day training with mental health experts and advisors who instruct trainees about supportive dialogue, violence against women, symptoms of mental strain, and fundamental mental health principles. Once finished, they are evaluated before obtaining a diploma.

“The course was highly successful … I got my qualification and this knowledge,” said Thérèse Gueu, showing a mental health book in her salon in Abobo.

Throughout six months, trainees obtain continuous assistance through support networks and availability of a psychological referral system. In cases where a customer shares deeper troubles, stylists can refer them to qualified therapists, or in cases of abuse at home, to the law enforcement.

Obstacles and Successes

Initially, financial support for the project was primarily from the founder's own money, but currently, philanthropists and agencies like a support agency are helping. Nevertheless, support is insufficient for the amount of work facing the organization's limited staff of workers and about supporters.

Despite these difficulties, participants report stories of joy and healing. In one country, a participant hired someone who had been in a psychiatric hospital, giving reintegration support.

“Often when you’ve been sick and you’ve been hospitalised, people say you have problems,” explained the founder. “But if you find work and someone who accepts to train you, you get out of the misconception.”

A further stylist departed her situation because she was a survivor of abuse, but now aids individuals. In some communities, hairdressers report that some male clients have begun to approach for counsel.

Pride and Purpose

Across the stylists, exists a general sense of accomplishment over their new role as a form of psychological aid in their neighborhoods.

“When clients approach discuss their challenges to me, it's an honor for me too as I know that I am a listener for someone,” shared the hairdresser. “I believe that we all need someone.”

“For many of these women, it’s their first acknowledgment as a figurehead in their community and a guardian,” noted the founder. “They express to us: ‘In the past I was just styling, now I do healing.’”