Together we can

Barbers for Health, a community organization that empowers barbers in Boston to participate in community health improvement. The organization was established in January 2015 to build off several years of active health programming in local barbershops. Through partnerships with local barbershops, health care organizations, community partners, and universities, Barbers for Health has hosted health forums, screenings, and education sessions on issues critical to barbers and patrons, such as prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, oral health, and chronic disease prevention and management. 

Barbers for Health works to strength the linkages among barbershops, health systems, and other community assets to foster health promotion and create a venue for frequent community health activities.

Barbers for Health works toward improving community health by increasing the skills of barbers and hairdressers to be leaders in the health care system and address the health concerns of their patrons.  Barber shops are and have historically been a space for African American and Latino men to socialize and have conversations about health.  Barbers for Health approached DMH after the barbers identified racism and trauma as stressors that negatively impact the mental health of their community. Dr. Kermit Crawford, Director of the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology and the Center for Multicultural Mental Health, and psychology interns will facilitate the mental health discussion and provide information on mental health services available in the community.