HomeStrategiesGSU Researcher Helps Improve Mental Health Literacy Among Barbers Serving Black Communities

GSU Researcher Helps Improve Mental Health Literacy Among Barbers Serving Black Communities

Published on

The stigma of mental health is a prevailing issue among African Americans in general and African American men specifically, according to Dr. Kevin Washington, head of the Department of Psychology/Sociology at Grambling State University.

“Although Black adults are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than white adults, Blacks are less likely to seek mental health care for a variety of reasons,” he said, explaining that among the causes of non-care seeking among Black men are racism, discrimination, stigma and distrust of the health care system.

Washington has developed a mental health curriculum called Barbershop Embedded Education (BEE). His curriculum for African American men was used as part of an innovative mental health literacy enhancement initiative implemented in an urban city in the Northeast region of the United States. The Mental Health Improvement through Study, Teaching, Rebranding, Embedded Education, and Technology (MHISTREET) initiative was aimed at improving mental health literacy among barbers serving in Black community.

Research findings were published this month in an article entitled The MHISTREET: Barbershop Embedded Education Initiative. The paper is co-authored by Washington, Dr. Nnemdi Kamanu Elias, Alfred Larbi, and Erin Athey. Elias, an internal medicine doctor and Athey, a nurse practitioner, are co-founders of the MHISTREET program.

In this initiative, Washington trained barbers, who became known as the BEE Squad, to be early responders to mental health challenges. He also facilitated barbershop talk sessions on mental health and other presented issues such as racism, Black manhood and Black fatherhood/parenting.

Research findings from this study suggest that affirming alliances between barbers, health care providers and community stakeholders is possible, Washington said.

Such alliances can provide a non-traditional, non-healthcare platform for Black men to share and hear stories of mental health resilience, encourage mental health-related conversations among barbershop clients, and serve as a bridge to mental health services, he said, adding that strategies for mental wellness were also provided.

Washington aims to conduct similar research in Black barbershops in some urban/rural cities in the southern states within the U.S. as a way to promote optimal mental health within the Black community.

To learn more, visit https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/77243.

Latest articles

10 Best Loans for Students

10 Best Loans for Students Loans for students are a necessary evil. Student debt is at an all-time high with this year's debt reaching 1.75 trillion. While, at the same time, the nation-wide average for unemployment has skyrocketed with 6.3 million experiencing joblessness. Thus, finding promising loans with affordable interest rates is more important than ever. Sofi Fixed APR: 2.49%-7.59% Variable APR: 1.74-7.24% Maximum Loan Amount: 100% cost of attendance With a shockingly low fixed rate of 2.49% -7.59%, Sofi is the number one lender at BlogWallet. [...]

Rappers Myron Rainey and Christian Sanders Shot Dead in Ohio (Video)

https://www.theindustry.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_372.pngOver the weekend, a tragic shooting occurred in Shaker Heights, a wealthier neighborhood in...

Who is Kevin O’Leary?

Discover Kevin O'Leary, the renowned Shark Tank investor and business mogul. Learn about his entrepreneurial journey, success strategies, and impact on the business world.

Ex Radio Jock, Stephon Ferguson, Makes Living Imitating Dr. Martin Luther King around the World

KUDOS to a former radio jock for using his radio leverage to create an amazing opportunity for himself. Stephon Ferguson, 48, discovered his amazing ability to emulate one of the greatest leaders of our time Dr. Martin Luther King by chance in the late 90s. Ferguson was mixing a vinyl recording of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech on Motown records with a beat and he was overheard by a friend who came into the room asking if that was him.” Ferguson told ABC News. [...]

How Skillshare Democratized Learning and Created a Global Community of Creators

Discover how Skillshare revolutionized online learning, empowering millions to explore their creativity and learn new skills in a vibrant global community of creators.

The Birth of Native Instruments: How They Changed the Landscape of Digital Music Production

Native Instruments revolutionized digital music production with innovative software and hardware. Discover how this tech pioneer transformed the industry landscape.

Chicago Budget Passes Amid Migrant Spending Chaos (Vidoe)

In a tumultuous session held at Chicago City Hall, the Chicago City Council narrowly...

Entrepreneur Mistakes: Unimportant Interruptions

Do not allow anyone to throw your day off. Nothing like  unimportant interruptions For some odd reason, many people think that black entrepreneurs do nothing but sit around and twiddle our thumbs and wait for money to come in. I guess this is why we get unimportant interruptions during the day? They are really under the impression that because we do what we love we're not working. And part of that is correct, we're not working. But we're always busy and we never sleep. [...]

10 Tips on How to Improve and Make More Money with Your Business

One of the greatest complaints and challenges in business is almost always money. We...

How to Manage Your Business Calendar Automatically with Tech

Discover smart ways to streamline Business Calendar Management using automation tools and tech solutions. Save time and boost productivity with these essential tips.

More like this

10 Things we can all learn from Beats Electronic’s Icon Dr Dre

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Beats Electronics was just sold to Apple for a reported 3.2 Billion dollars. This is the most money Apple has paid to buy any company. The purchase has catapulted Dr Dre into iconic status as the first hip hop billionaire. [...]

FitnessWebGraphics.com Offers High-Impact Graphics for Personal Training, Fitness Boot Camp and Weight Loss Websites

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, January 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Whether you want clients...

Stunted Growth: Biggest Mistakes Black Business Owners Often Make

Here is an excerpt from my book Mind Your Own Damn Business. These are...

Black Entrepreneur Commits Suicide

As entrepreneurs, especially BLACK entrepreneurs we are a unique group of people who are...

"Made In New York" Makes It to Bloomingdale’s

New York, NY, March 04, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Bloomingdale’s will feature jewelry designer,...

How Daniel Ek Revolutionized Music with Spotify and Changed the Way We Listen

Discover how Daniel Ek, Spotify's visionary founder, transformed the music industry and revolutionized streaming. Learn about his journey and impact on digital audio consumption.

Towson Restaurant Owner Assaulted at Gunpoint: His Story (Video)

https://www.theindustry.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_367.pngA Towson restaurant owner is speaking out after a harrowing encounter with a gunman...

Rappers Myron Rainey and Christian Sanders Shot Dead in Ohio (Video)

https://www.theindustry.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_372.pngOver the weekend, a tragic shooting occurred in Shaker Heights, a wealthier neighborhood in...

Tragic Shooting in Kentwood: Social Media Feud Turns Violent (Video)

Tragedy Strikes Kentwood on Christmas Day: A Fatal Argument Escalates Into Gun Violence On Christmas...