Become an OUR HAIR Community Wellness Ambassador
Opioid Use Response: Health Access Initiative for Recovery (Our Hair)
Barbers and hairstylists often create a safe, comforting space where clients feel free to open up about personal topics—like their health, family, or life challenges. These everyday conversations can be powerful moments of connection.
To support this unique community role, Community Behavioral Health invites barbers and stylists in the Philadelphia area to join a special opportunity through the Opioid Use Response: Health Access Initiative for Recovery (OUR HAIR). This program is focused on strengthening and supporting communities of color.
About the Program
The HAIR Program offers training to help barbers and stylists recognize signs that a client may be struggling with a behavioral health issue—like depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use disorder. The goal is to meet people where they already feel comfortable and connect them to helpful resources and support.
This initiative is inspired by the Our HAIR program launched by Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH) in 2022 in Chester and Allegheny counties. CBH is now bringing this innovative model to Philadelphia to help barbers and stylists become community changemakers.
What Participants Receive
After completing the program, participants will get:
- Mental Health First Aid certification
- A Community Wellness Ambassador certificate
- A lifesaving overdose rescue kit
- Wellness items to share with clients
Training Details
- Open to barbers and stylists serving Black and African American communities
- Includes three in-person sessions and five virtual follow-up consultations
- Participants receive a stipend
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided at in-person sessions
For more information, please contact cbh.hair@phila.gov
Meet the Lead Trainer
Tennille Hill of Hair Counselor Salon in Mechanicsburg, PA, has partnered with behavioral health managed care organizations (BH-MCO) to bring the HAIR program to life! Hill, a Philadelphia native, is a mental health counselor, licensed educator, and licensed stylist.
