The cities of Tempe and Chandler are tapping into the influential role of barbers and stylists, turning these community cornerstones into mental health advocates through the Beyond the Shop initiative. The effort is a strategic move to reduce mental health stigma and to create a network of support within everyday environments, reports the news release from the City of Chandler.
In what represents a melding of personal care and health advocacy, these professionals will be offered free training where they'll learn how to foster environments ripe for open conversations about mental health without fear of stigma and receive resources to help support their client’s emotional, mental and spiritual well-being, the initiative’s statement outlines. An upcoming training session is scheduled for February 3 at the Tempe EnVision Center, with an emphasis on pre-registration due to limited space.
According to a statement from Tempe Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid, the initiative is not only set to redefine the narrative around mental health but also aimed at fostering a resilient future for local residents. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke echoed the sentiment in the same release, crediting barbers and stylists as pillars of the community, now being empowered to advocate for greater mental wellness.
Barbers and stylists in the area have two additional opportunities to engage with the community—the Downtown Tempe Authority’s Barber Battle Series and a free Industry and Community Mixer on February 2 at the Tempe EnVision Center, as the program details highlight, they are encouraged to register in advance to secure their participation; these additional opportunities are outlined in the public release.
For more information or to apply for either event, individuals are directed to the Beyond the Shop website, and to also view a related video about the national movement.
