Baltimore’s barbershop is a safe place to talk about mental health
Top Notch Barbershop provides a forum for conversations about mental health, especially for black men
A barber and beauty shop in southwest Baltimore strives to create a safe space for people to talk about mental health.Top Notch Barbershop is part of the TIME Organization, a psychiatric outpatient clinic and refuge. It’s more than a barber shop. For Tevin Harper, it’s both a place and a time he looks forward to. “We don’t just cut hair for conversation.” This is a therapy session for myself and the person in the chair,” Owens said. The Lowe Price Foundation brings the shop into the Time Organization so that people already receiving mental health treatment and other resources can have another safe place. So here are some powerful Black and Brown men with a service that says it’s okay to ask for help,” said director of community-based program engagement. Keth said in development Ent of the Time Organization, because like suicides and suicidal ideologies, these things happen. And black men are more than three times as likely to commit suicide as black women. That’s why Owens takes his job as a barber very seriously, and I know he can listen and be a lifeline as well. It’s one of the most important questions you can think of,” Owens said. The store needs more hairdressers to help. For more information on how to get involved, email [email protected] or call 443-872-2230. If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk to Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting him. You can message us on 988 or chat online here.
A barber and beauty shop in southwest Baltimore strives to create a safe space for people to talk about mental health.
Top Notch Barbershop is located within the TIME Organization, an outpatient mental health clinic and shelter. It’s more than a barber shop. For Tevin Harper, it’s both a place and a time he looks forward to.
“It’s not just for cutting hair for conversation,” Harper said.
Harper discusses everything from mental health to past trauma to how to create a better future with barber Derell Owens.
“As barbers, we’re almost like clinical therapists. This is a therapeutic session for myself and the person sitting in the chair,” Owens said.
Shareese Kess worked with Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation and T. Rowe Price Foundation to incorporate the shop into the TIME Organization. This allows people who are already receiving mental health treatment and other resources to find another safe place.
“Many people have suffered trauma, grief and loss, and some have been taught not to express their emotions. Generally black and brown men. Ask them for help.” It’s a service that speaks for itself,” said Keth, the Time Organization’s director of engagement and development for community-based programs.
“I think the most important thing for black men is to have space to express themselves, to be vulnerable, to deal with trauma, to unravel the issues they’re going through. Like suicide.” To the suicidal ideology, these things happen,” Owens said.
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According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, suicide rates within the black community peak among teens and young adults. Statistics show that the suicide rate for black men is more than three times higher than for black women. That’s why Owens takes his job as a barber so seriously.
“Having the opportunity to provide a safe haven, resources, and outreach so that we can unlock the issues we are dealing with is the most important issue I can think of.
Since October, more than 70 people have been doing hair sets for free. The store needs more hairdressers to help. For more information on how to get involved, email [email protected] or call 443-872-2230.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 to speak with Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. chat online here.
