For Black men,stigmais one of the greatest obstacles to dealing with mental health issues.
We found that barbershops are somewhat of a safe haven for Black men, Lewis explains.
What Is The Confess Project?
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The Confess Projectnotes it is Americas First Mental Health Barbershop Movement.
Their mission is to give Black males access to mental health help, as well as support and encouragement.
Men are equipped withcoping strategiesto processstress,trauma, and other mental health issues.
In 2021 alone, 1,000 barbers received training to become mental health advocates.
To train our barbers, we connect our barbers with therapists, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations.
Our end goal is that the barbers become not experts, but advocates for their community, Lewis explains.
The vision for The Confess Project came from his own experiences.
I struggled withdepression,anxiety, andangerthroughout most of my youth and faced incarceration at 17.
The Confess Project gives men the ability to bypass those obstacles.
Theres also a huge lack of mental health resources in low income and predominantly Black communities, Lewis explains.
The organization also seeks to dismantle the thinking that says thatshowing emotion and processing painare weaknesses.
We need to reframe the way these boys and men view masculinity.
Being told to ‘man up’ teaches them that expressing their feelings, emotions, and struggles isnt okay.
It influences how they communicate and behave on a daily basis.
We need to reframe the way these boys and men view masculinity, Lewis says.
Going to the barber is a typical thing that men do.
Theres nothing unusual about it.
They have a web connection oftherapistsand coaches available to help.
Black Mental Mattersis a weekly podcast that serves as a voice to Black communities about mental health awareness.
These resources and others are making strides in the Black community.
Like The Confess Project, they just want to make a difference and incite positive change.
What This Means For You
The Confess Project does more than provide a listening ear.
Mental Health America.Black and African American communities and mental health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Office of Minority Health.Mental and behavioral health - African Americans.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Black/African American.
