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In the vibrant neighborhood of the locality, known for its business drive and active nightlife, a quiet transformation is happening. In this place, hairdressers are taking on roles as psychological well-being advisors, giving a listening ear in addition to grooming.

A Trailblazer in Local Assistance

Adjoua Catherine Tano, a seasoned hairdresser, has invested twenty years not only cutting and styling tresses but additionally providing psychological support to her customers. Without formal education, she earlier worked as a financial clerk before choosing her path in styling.

“Stay positive,” she advised a worried student stressed about failing exams. “Even if you fail, why assume that your life is over in life?”

Psychological Care in the Region: An Unspoken Subject

As reported by the WHO, over 116 million residents in the continent face emotional disorders. Yet, professional help is in short supply, with only very few specialists on hand per each 100,000 people.

In local neighborhoods, hairdressing salons are now trusted environments, especially in areas with scarce options for mental health care.

Hairdressers as Healers: A Program Creating Impact

This charitable group, active in one country, Ivory Coast, and Togo, initiated the Healing Through Hair initiative. Per its founder, the founder, in excess of many professionals underwent coaching during the previous couple of years to act as initial support providers, assisting more than a large number of female clients.

By 2030, the target is to train in excess of a thousand stylists across 20 countries.

‘The Faith Is Already There’

The project was inspired from a deeply personal heartbreak. Over a decade ago, de Putter lost her husband when traveling the region of her homeland. The case is still open.

“I spent the initial evening after losing my husband alongside my stylist,” the founder said. “She was the one I felt safe with the most that night as you are simply surrounded by people and you don’t know who could have done this.”

Driven by her story, the foundation carried out a 2021 study across multiple French-speaking nations. The data revealed that a large majority revealed talking to their beauticians, and in excess of the vast majority of professionals said that their clients had sought their counsel.

Coaching and Backing

The program features a complimentary, intensive multi-day program with mental health experts and professionals who teach hairdressers about supportive dialogue, violence against women, signs of depression, and basic psychology theories. Following the training, they are evaluated before obtaining a credential.

“The program went very well … I got my qualification and this knowledge,” said a participant, showing a educational material in her studio in Abobo.

Throughout half a year, hairdressers obtain continuous assistance through support networks and connections with a psychological referral system. When a patron reveals complex problems, hairdressers can refer them to professional psychologists, or in cases of abuse at home, to the police.

Obstacles and Successes

Initially, financial support for the initiative was primarily from the founder's own money, but now, individual contributors and organizations like an international fund are helping. However, support is insufficient for the volume of demand facing the group's compact crew of employees and about unpaid helpers.

Regardless of these difficulties, the program has tales of happiness and recovery. Locally, a participant took on a person who had been in a treatment center, providing social rehabilitation.

“Often after an illness and you’ve been hospitalised, society labels you are unstable,” noted de Putter. “So if you are employed and an employer who welcomes to guide you, you break free from the taboo.”

One more hairdresser departed her home due to she was a victim of violence, but currently aids individuals. Locally, stylists mention that some male clients have begun to approach for guidance.

Satisfaction and Meaning

Within the hairdressers, is present a widespread feeling of fulfillment over their new role as a form of emotional support in their neighborhoods.

“When people come to explain their problems to me, I feel proud for me too as I understand that I am an ear for someone,” shared Gueu. “I believe that each person needs a confidant.”

“For many hairdressers, this is the premier validation as a figurehead in their community and a protector,” added de Putter. “The participants express to us: ‘In the past I only doing hair, currently I support well-being.’”