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Black barbers in Jackson receive mental health training

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Photo Gallery: Black barbers receive mental health training

Barbershops are central hubs for Black communities: a safe haven where people can embrace their community, discuss societal change, economic problems, share ideas and confide in others.  

The unique position of barbers is why The Confess Project, which seeks to encourage dialogue about the mental and emotional health of Black men, trains barbers across the South and Midwest to become mental health advocates.

Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. Black, Hispanic/Latino and multiracial youth had the highest risk of suicide, according to a July 2022 report by JAMA, an open access medical journal published by the American Medical Association.

During the training at Jackson Convention Complex, experts discussed how to approach a client when he expresses issues related to mental health and how to recognize warning signs of mental illness. Experts talked to the barbers about how to respond if a client is suicidal and what resources to provide.

Barber Michael Johnson, who works at Traxler’s School of Hair in Jackson and owns MJ’s Blazzin’ Fades, attended the local training.

“It made me see where I fit into the solution because I come in contact with a lot of people when I’m cutting hair,” said Johnson. “It taught me how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness. It also allowed me to step outside of myself and pay attention to others and see where I can help.”

Barber Michael Johnson, 50, waits for clients outside of Traxler’s School of Hair in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2022.

Barbers and hair stylists often act as de facto therapists, he said. They hear intimate details of their clients’ lives and problems while behind the chair.

“People come here and open up, and some of them can cry out without opening their mouths,” Johnson said. “Some people learn to cope, but they never got over their trauma. I try to voice anything that I can do to help the situation and be careful to not judge.”

BROTHERS Barbershop Initiative is also tackling physical health by installing blood pressure machines in barbershops and teaching barbers how to perform blood pressure screenings and to recognize any blood pressure-related signs and symptoms in clients.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: November 22-24

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2024-11-22 08:50:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (November 22-24), Mississippi offers a variety of events for everyone. Highlights include the Fleet Feet Coffee Run in Ridgeland, the Miss Magnolia State Pageant in Vicksburg, and the Handworks Holiday Market in Jackson. In Jackson, enjoy exhibits like “Dinosaurs Around the World” and “Of Salt and Spirit,” plus festive activities such as the “Magic of Lights” display and the “Journey to the North Pole” exhibit. In Hattiesburg, check out the Faculty Artist Series, the Pine Belt Holiday Expo, and the Ford Foundation Turkey Trot. Other events include markets, festivals, and live music throughout the state.

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Mississippi News

Attorneys file motion to delay Jackson bribery trial

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2024-11-21 16:41:00

SUMMARY: In connection with the Jackson bribery scandal, attorneys for federal officials and local leaders filed a motion to postpone the trial to allow time for extensive evidence review, including hours of recordings and thousands of pages of documents. Key figures charged include Hinds County DA Jody Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, and Councilman Aaron Banks, each facing multiple counts of conspiracy related to bribery and fraud. The scandal involves alleged bribes amounting to over $80,000 related to a downtown development project, facilitated by individuals posing as real estate developers working with the FBI.

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Mississippi News

Family of Dexter Wade rallies outside JPD nearly two years after his death

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www.wjtv.com – Tia McKenzie – 2024-11-20 14:20:00

SUMMARY: Nearly two years after Dexter Wade’s death, his family continues seeking justice. On November 20, Dexter Wade Day was observed in Jackson, declared by Councilman Kenneth Stokes. Wade, hit by a Jackson police cruiser in March 2023, was later found in a pauper’s grave in Hinds County, and his mother, Bettersten Wade, was unaware of his death until August 2023. She believes his death was covered up. No arrests have been made, and authorities consider it an accident. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade expressed condolences and shared updates on new policies to prevent similar tragedies.

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