E. Valley Barber Program Focuses on Mental Health
It's well known that barbers and stylists can work as amateur therapists, but a program involving the East Valley cities of Tempe and Chandler will give barbers and stylists more tools to help their clients. We provide. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.
Tempe, Arizona – East Valley barbers are signing up to become mental health advocates.
It's well known that barbers and stylists can operate as amateur therapists, but this program takes it to the next level and gives them the tools to become health care advocates.
I'm also cutting my hair at the same time.
“If you just think about the work itself, it's a very intimate service,” says Elite on Mill's Daniel Santillans.
Santillans has been shaping heads for 10 years at a barbershop in downtown Tempe. It's not uncommon for his customers to become friends.
So Mr. Santillans wondered why the mind should not be shaped as well.
“I love it,” Santillans said. “I absolutely love this job because I have always been passionate about understanding mental health and educating my clients and friends.”
The cities of Chandler and Tempe are focusing on mental health by weaving it into something called Beyond The Shop, a Harvard University-backed program that helps barbers hone their therapeutic skills. The program teaches barbers and cosmetologists how to create a safe environment for people to talk without fear, as well as resources to help customers get out of the chair.
Tamar Birch said: “When barbers are talking to these people, sometimes they know dark, deep secrets that they don't know what to do with. So this just gives them a great platform. ” he said. “Now they know where to go.”
Mental Health Tempe Chandler News