Barbershop Talk Therapy Project: A Quality Improvement Study on Therapy-Led Focus Groups for Minority Males in Community-Driven Safe Spaces

Abstract

Research Question: Can implementing therapy-led focus groups in barbershops, as community-driven safe spaces, effectively contribute to improving mental health outcomes for minority males, particularly in underserved communities such as Fort Worth, TX.

Background and Significance: Men’s mental health, particularly in communities of color, is an unkempt public health issue. In the United States, 1 in 8 men are likely to be diagnosed with a mental health illness, but compared to their women counterparts, are 33% less likely to reach out for intervention from a healthcare professional for mental or general health. What’s more, men are 3.56 times more likely to commit suicide than women. These numbers are hyper intense in Fort Worth, TX and intervention is desperately needed. Our project goal is to utilize volunteer mental health professionals to provide focus groups, education, and health screening services to barbershops in underserved communities in Fort Worth, TX. The hope is that men of color will be able to have talk therapy during their haircut while receiving resources and support that they would/could not otherwise acquire. We will measure the likelihood of men seeking mental health services after acquiring resources during their haircut, and how important safe spaces like the barbershop are vital in dismantling barriers to access resources.

Materials and Methods: A 26 question electronic survey that gauges participants’ knowledge and accessibility to mental health resources in FW was developed. PHQ2 is incorporated into the survey and was completed to gauge if follow up with MH professionals is needed during or after the project. The screening was administered via electronic survey on iPad. Surveys provided a participant ID to privately follow up and/or refer participants with anonymity. We evaluated the emotional impact the project had on the patrons who visited that day. Additionally, we measured the likelihood that individuals who attended follow up received mental health or general health services in the subsequent month.

Results: Survey results from 45 individuals demonstrated that 68% percent deny promoting wellness in their everyday life. Over 53% denote moderate stressors being their occupation (n=24) and 33% severe stressors being Social injustice/race/class (n=18). Twenty-two point 2 percent do not confide with anyone when they feel overwhelmed, 15% do not feel safe anywhere, 42% screened positive for depression via PHQ2, 59% believe their barber is like a therapist, and 59% talk to their barbers about sensitive topics they do not talk to anyone else about. Ninety-three percent feel more optimistic and less stress after leaving the barbershop. Fifty-seven percent felt more reassured about accessing mental health resources after the conclusion of the project. Seventy-four percent stated it is important for them to have a therapist that looks like them. Fifty-three percent stated that after the barbershop event, they probably and/or definitely would consider seeking a mental health provider. Forty-six percent stated barbershops are important to communities because haircuts make you feel better about yourself and 46% stated that barbershops are a place we can strategize how to be better for our community.

Conclusion: The Barbershop Talk Therapy Project demonstrates the effectiveness of utilizing community-driven safe spaces for mental health initiatives. Barbershops, in this context, emerge as powerful settings for destigmatizing mental health among men from minority communities. The positive outcomes, such as increased optimism, stress reduction, and improved willingness to seek mental health services, underscore the importance of tailoring interventions to cultural contexts. To further enhance the impact of such initiatives, future directions should involve creating a network of diverse therapists and providing training sessions for barbers to identify and address mental health concerns effectively. This approach ensures a holistic and culturally competent approach to mental health support in community-driven spaces.