For generations, beauty professionals have held a sacred role in Black communities. The barbershop and beauty salon have long served as sanctuaries—places not just for grooming, but safe spaces for being seen, heard, and often, healed. Yet few talk about the emotional toll of that labor on the stylists and barbers who show up day after day.
The discussion around mental health in the beauty industry is long overdue. While stylists often serve as confidants, listeners, and sometimes even counselors, they rarely receive the same care they extend to others. It’s no secret that getting your hair or nails done can feel therapeutic. But how often do we consider what it takes to absorb story after story, pain after pain, without the training or space to process it?
A 2022 survey by booking app Booksy found that one in five hairdressers is likely to experience an anxiety disorder. That same survey also found that 20% of clients noticed their stylist seemed anxious; 16% thought their stylist might be depressed; and 27% said their stylist appeared stressed—often due to working 12-hour days without breaks. These aren’t just numbers; they reflect the emotional toll on those who hold space for others, even when their own cups are empty.
On a recent trip with Sadiaa Black Beauty Guide to the International Beauty Show in New York, we sat in on a conversation that brought this reality to the forefront. The panel—“Mental Health & The Beauty Industry”—was moderated by industry veteran Justin Kace and featured voices from across the field: Charmaine Cooper, Thomas James, Shauna Wright, and Rodney Barnett.
During the discussion, Sadiaa founder and CEO Stephenetta (Isis) Harmon asked panelists to share resources stylists can access to protect their mental health while supporting their clients.
“I would suggest going to a therapist—because we are not therapists,” she said. “We’re regular humans. We do not have the skills to assist someone through trauma. We’re here to listen. So I suggest, as a service provider, go see your own therapist. That way, you can process your client’s stories in a healthy space and avoid carrying their emotional weight into your own life.” – Shauna Wright
Her message was clear: don’t wear hats that don’t belong to you. Stylists can create safe, affirming environments—but that doesn’t mean they must become emotional caretakers. Listening is one thing. Holding trauma is another. James pointed to The Confess Project of America, a national organization that empowers barbers and stylists in underserved communities to become frontline mental health advocates through a Harvard-vetted curriculum.
“What they do is truly impactful—they train barbers, stylists, nail techs, and estheticians to recognize key social and emotional cues in their clients,” said James. “For example, if someone behaves a certain way or says specific things, they help professionals understand what that could really mean.”
He also stressed that he is still a stylist. “We’re not licensed therapists, but I’ve learned to pick up on patterns and cues,” he said.
That kind of awareness—and access to tools that support it—has the power to shift the culture of care within the industry. But awareness must be paired with action. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a reminder that care must extend to caregivers—including those in the beauty industry.
Stylists and barbers deserve space to be held—to rest, to heal, and to protect their peace. Let’s honor the ones behind the chair not just for the looks they create, but for the love, energy, and care they give every day. At the same time, beauty professionals must also be empowered to set boundaries and advocate for their own well-being—because pouring into others should never come at the cost of themselves.