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In the energetic commune of this area, renowned for its commercial energy and lively social life, an understated transformation is unfolding. Locally, stylists are embracing roles as psychological well-being supporters, providing a listening ear together with grooming.

An Innovator in Local Assistance

This professional, in her late forties, has spent twenty years not just cutting and styling hair but additionally giving psychological support to her patrons. Without formal education, Tano previously worked as a financial clerk before choosing her path in styling.

“Don’t think negatively,” she advised an anxious student fearing failing exams. “Even if you fail, why assume that you have failed in life?”

Mental Health in Africa: A Taboo Subject

As reported by the WHO, over a huge number individuals in this region experience emotional disorders. Yet, counseling is in short supply, with only a handful of professionals present per each many individuals.

Throughout local neighborhoods, beauty shops are now trusted environments, especially in localities with scarce access to psychological support.

Heal by Hair: A Project Creating Impact

This charitable group, active in Cameroon, another nation, and Togo, has launched the Healing Through Hair project. As stated by the organization's leader, the founder, more than hundreds of stylists have been trained over the past two years to act as therapeutic first responders, assisting in excess of 100,000 women.

Within this decade, the goal is to prepare over 1,000 hairdressers across 20 countries.

‘The Trust Exists There’

The initiative was inspired from a personal loss. Years back, de Putter experienced a murder when on a trip her native Cameroon. The incident is still open.

“I endured the initial evening after losing my husband with my hairdresser,” she recalled. “She was the individual I confided in completely since one is merely in the presence of others and there's uncertainty the perpetrator's identity.”

Motivated by this experience, the organization conducted a recent survey across seven Francophone countries. The results indicated that a large majority admitted to talking to their stylists, and more than nearly all stylists said that their clients had requested guidance.

Training and Support

The program features a no-cost, in-depth three-day course with specialists and advisors who instruct participants about active listening, gender-based violence, symptoms of mental strain, and fundamental psychological concepts. After completion, they are evaluated before obtaining a credential.

“The course was highly successful … I earned my diploma and these tools,” commented Thérèse Gueu, showing a mental health book in her studio in Abobo.

During six months, hairdressers get continuous assistance through support networks and access to a psychological referral system. If a customer discloses deeper troubles, beauticians can direct them to professional psychologists, or for instances of family conflict, to the authorities.

Difficulties and Achievements

In the beginning, resources for the initiative came mostly from the founder's own money, but currently, individual contributors and organizations like France’s Development Innovation Fund are contributing. Still, resources remain limited for the scale of the task facing the group's compact crew of 17 paid staff and about 100 volunteers.

Despite these obstacles, the program has stories of joy and improvement. Locally, one trainee took on a person who had been in a psychiatric hospital, giving a fresh start.

“Often when you’ve been sick and you were in the hospital, society labels you’re crazy,” noted de Putter. “But if you find work and an employer who welcomes to guide you, you break free from the misconception.”

Another hairdresser left her situation due to she was a subjected to harm, but today helps people. Locally, beauticians say that a few men have also sought for guidance.

Pride and Purpose

Within the hairdressers, is present a common sentiment of satisfaction over their emergence as a form of emotional support in their neighborhoods.

“Whenever people come to share their issues to me, it's an honor for me too because I know that I provide support for an individual,” commented she. “I tell myself that we all need someone.”

“For many of these women, this is the premier validation as a influencer in their neighborhood and a supporter,” noted she. “They are saying to us: ‘Previously I merely styling, currently I do healing.’”