Togo Trains Hairdressers as Mental Health Ambassadors in 'Heal by Hair' Program
Tuesday, 21 October 2025 17:33 
(Togo First) - The fifth edition of the "Heal by Hair" program, a mental health initiative centered on haircare, began its operational phase in Lomé on Oct. 19, with training scheduled through Oct. 25, 2025.
The project is an initiative of the Bluemind Foundation in partnership with the University of Lomé and the Ministry of Health. Supported by the Innovation Fund for Development (FID), the current phase will train 400 hairdressers from Greater Lomé to become mental health ambassadors, transforming hair salons into centers for listening, prevention, and referral.
The program, which originated in Lomé, operates on the simple idea of enabling hairdressers to serve as community relays capable of identifying signs of psychological distress and directing clients toward appropriate care. At an estimated cost of 656 CFA francs per beneficiary, Heal by Hair has already assisted more than 100,000 women across Togo, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.
This initiative addresses a continent-wide issue where nearly 10% of the population suffers from mental disorders. The economic losses related to depression and anxiety in Africa are estimated at $232 billion annually. In Togo alone, these disorders cost nearly 400 billion CFA francs each year, according to the Bluemind Foundation.
Marie-Alix de Putter, founder of the Bluemind Foundation, said, "Each trained salon becomes a haven of dignity and support."
Following the Lomé training, the foundation plans to expand the program to the city of Kara by July 2026 before covering other regions of the country. The goal is to reach 1 million supported women in Togo by the end of 2026, including 230,000 direct beneficiaries in the Kara, Centrale, and Savanes regions.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
