Beyond The Shop: Program aims to give barbers tools to become mental health advocates

E.’s barber program. Valley focuses on mental health

It’s well known that barbers and stylists can serve as amateur therapists, but a program involving the East Valley cities of Tempe and Chandler is giving these workers more tools to help their clients. FOX 10’s Brian Webb reports.

TEMPE, Ariz. – East Valley barbers 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 by giving them the tools to become health care advocates.

At the same time, they cut hair.

“If you just think about the work itself, the service is such an intimate service,” said Daniel Santillands of Elite on Mill.

Santillands has been shaping heads at his downtown Tempe hair salon for a decade, and it’s not unusual for his clients to become friends.

So, Santillands wondered, why not also shape minds?

“I love it,” Santillands said. “I love it, just because – I mean, I’ve always been a huge advocate for understanding mental health and just guiding my clients and my friends.”

The cities of Chandler and Tempe are focusing on mental health by joining a program called “Beyond The Shop,” a Harvard-backed program to help barbers perfect the art of therapy. The program teaches barbers and hairstylists how to create a safe environment, so people can speak without fear, as well as resources to help clients when they leave their chairs.

“When barbers talk to these individuals, sometimes you know these deep, dark secrets that they don’t know what to do with, so it just gives them a great platform,” Tamar Burch said. “Now they know where they can go.”

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