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E. Valley barber program focuses on mental health
It's well-known that barbers and stylists can serve as amateur therapists, but one program involving the East Valley cities of Tempe and Chandler is giving these workers more tools to help their customers. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.
TEMPE, Ariz. - Barbers in the East Valley are signing up to become mental health advocates.
It’s well-known that barbers and stylists can serve as amateur therapists, but this program takes it to the next level, giving them the tools to become health care advocates.
At the same time, they’re cutting hair.
"If you just think about the job in itself, the service is such an intimate service," said Daniel Santillands with Elite on Mill.
Santillands has been shaping heads at his barbershop in Downtown Tempe for a decade, and it’s not unusual that his customers become friends.
So, Santillands wondered, why not shape minds too?
"I love it," Santillands said. "I absolutely love it, just because – I mean, I’ve always been a huge proponent of understanding mental health, and just guiding my clients and friends."
The cities of Chandler and Tempe are highlighting mental health by weaving into something called ‘Beyond The Shop,’ a Harvard-backed program to help barbers brush up on the art of therapy. The program teaches barbers and hairstylists how to create a safe environment, so people can talk without fear, as well as resources to help the customers when they leave the chair.
"When barbers are talking to these individuals, you know sometimes those dark, deep secrets they don’t know what to do with, so this just gives them a great platform," said Tamar Burch. "Now they know where they can go."