- Categories:
- Health
- Tags:
- Mental Health
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 27
- Holiday emoji:
- 🧠
National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day on May 27 highlights the emotional demands placed on salon professionals. Hairstylists often serve as confidantes, absorbing clients’ stresses while managing their own. This day encourages creating safe spaces and providing vital resources for their mental well-being. Support a stylist, share resources, or advocate for better industry support.
Want to sponsor National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day? Learn how
History of National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day
Customers regularly reveal their personal struggles to their hairstylists. One often-quoted researcher once stated that hairstylists are “without question, frequently and seriously cast in the role of interpersonal helpers. The personal problems they hear about are nearly as diverse as those handled by mental health professionals.” Recently, as our understanding of mental health has developed, health professionals have begun to see the potential that the unique relationship between hairstylists and their customers offers. Some countries now offer specialist training to hairstylists so that they can help customers who they think may be struggling with their mental health.
Knowing how hard these hair professionals work and how much emotional energy they invest in their customers, we wanted to ensure that they were also being given a platform to talk about their own problems. It’s with that in mind that, in 2021, National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day was created. The holiday is an opportunity for hairstylists to take some time out to focus on their own mental health. Working with so many clients in such an intimate setting means that hairstylists often feel pressured to be on top form all the time. This holiday acknowledges that it’s okay to have an off day from time to time and, in fact, that it’s completely normal.
National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day timeline
The oldest known record of a hairstyle is hair braids, shown on the female figurine Venus of Willendorf, which is approximately 25,000 years old.
Almost 25,000 hair salons open across the U.S. during this time.
A study suggests that hairstylists may be able to identify mental health problems in their customers.
Increasing acknowledgment of the role hair salons can play leads to numerous mental-health training courses being made available to hairstylists.
Booksy creates and sponsors National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day to raise awareness and give hairstylists the opportunity to discuss their well-being openly. Want to be a sponsor: learn how.
National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day FAQs
When is National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day?
In 2027, this important observance takes place on Thursday, May 27. This day serves as a reminder to prioritize the mental well-being of those who care for our hair.
How does being a hairstylist impact mental health?
The unique client-stylist relationship, while rewarding, can also be emotionally draining. Stylists may experience vicarious trauma from hearing difficult stories, alongside the pressure to maintain a positive demeanor and manage client expectations, all of which contribute to the mental health challenges within the profession.
What resources are available for hairstylist mental health?
Stylists can find support through online communities, mental health hotlines tailored for professionals, and employer-provided wellness programs. Seeking peer support and utilizing industry-specific mental health guides can also be beneficial in navigating the unique stressors of the profession.
Who created National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day?
The day was founded to ensure that hairstylists, who often provide a listening ear to their clients, also have a dedicated day for their own well-being to be acknowledged and supported. It aims to foster a culture of care and provide essential resources across the industry.
How to Observe National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day
Get in touch with your hairstylist
A little message can go a long way. You could drop your hairstylists a note to let them know how much you appreciate them and that you’re always around if they ever need someone to talk to.
Listen to people’s stories
If you know any hairstylists then reach out to them to hear their perspective on mental health in the industry. Having these conversations out in the open can help raise awareness and improve understanding.
Make some time for yourself
This one is specifically for hairstylists. We know how busy you normally are but why not make the effort to create a little time for yourself today, even if it’s just for an hour or so. Go somewhere nice for lunch and take a break from your hectic schedule.
5 Facts About Hairstylists
Anxiety is common
An estimated one in five hairstylists are likely to experience an anxiety disorder in any given year.
It’s female-dominated
Roughly 91% of hairstylists in the U.S. are women, making it a very female-dominated occupation.
A huge industry
There are approximately 77,000 salons in the U.S. with around 707,000 people working as a hairstylist.
A busy day
The average hairstylist sees 12 clients per day, which equates to a lot of time being spent on your feet!
Regular visitors
The average person visits their hairstylist once every seven weeks.
Why National Hairstylist Mental Health Awareness Day is Important
Our hairstylists are important to us
Many customers have been visiting the same hairstylist for years. They view them as a trusted friend, a part of their life. It’s natural to care about the well-being of people who play an important role in your life and this observation provides the vehicle and opportunity to check in with your hairstylist to see how they are doing.
Everyone deserves a safe space
The nature of their craft means that hairstylists are naturally put in the role of chief listener, a friendly ear who not only makes you look good but feel good, too. While that is great for customers, it’s worth remembering that everyone deserves the opportunity to talk about how they are feeling, even hairstylists.
Conversation is progress
Opening up about your problems can often be the first step towards a healthier mental state. Conversation is important and this holiday is observed to encourage conversation where it may otherwise not have happened.
