A pioneering mental health initiative is bringing advocacy and healthcare awareness directly into Florida’s communities through local barbershops. For the first time in the state, the nationally recognized Confess Project, reviewed and endorsed by Harvard University, is launching in Tampa to train barbers as mental health advocates for their clients.
MidPoint spoke with Antionette Davis, founder and CEO of EnVision Resolution and EnVision Resolution Foundation; Genet Stewart, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County; and Jarvis El Amin, a community engagement specialist. They discussed how the Barbershop Conversations project transforms barbershops into trusted spaces for health and healing.
Supported by the Children’s Board’s “OneHillsborough” initiative and led by EnVision Resolutions, the project will hold its first training session on June 23 for barbers and social service providers statewide. The training helps barbers identify mental health needs and connect clients with medical and therapeutic resources—especially in areas with limited healthcare access and stigma around seeking help.
Barbershops as Trusted Community Hubs
Barbershops have long served as trusted gathering places in Black and Brown communities, especially among men who are often hesitant to seek formal mental health care. By engaging people where they already feel comfortable, the Barbershop Conversations project aims to reduce health disparities, build trust, and open dialogue about mental wellness.
“Loneliness is a public health crisis,” said Stewart. “Black and Brown men, in particular, lack the emotional support necessary to thrive. This project creates a pathway to change that reality.”
Each month, local barbershops host sessions with medical and mental health professionals providing screenings for blood pressure, A1C levels, and other critical health indicators. Participants receive education on heart health, nutrition, and preventive screenings for diseases disproportionately affecting Black men, including certain cancers.
From Mental Health to Fatherhood
A recent event brought 26 men together at a Tampa barbershop to discuss fatherhood. The session offered a space for sharing the joys and challenges of parenting—conversations many said they had not had before.
“Talking about being a dad felt incredible,” shared Jarvis El Amin. “I talked with younger men about what fatherhood really means—the good and the tough parts. Afterward, they said hearing from older men helped them better understand custody issues and rethink what it means to be a father. That kind of connection is powerful.”
Empowering Barbers as Advocates
Beyond hosting events, the program trains barbers to become certified mental health advocates. Barbers learn how to initiate conversations about wellness with their clients and encourage them to seek treatment or routine health checkups.
The initiative also gathers data and feedback from barbershop clients to enhance health service outreach. Leaders note that many men avoid traditional healthcare because they feel judged or disconnected from services.
“Some don’t seek help because they don’t believe it will help,” Stewart explained. “Others may not feel heard. Men are often more comfortable talking to someone who looks like them. That insight challenges us to rethink how we deliver care.”
Looking Ahead
With promising early results, the Barbershop Conversations team hopes to expand the program statewide. The June 23 training will unite health professionals, barbers, and community advocates to discuss scaling efforts and improving care access in underserved areas.
“This program offers us a chance to listen,” said Stewart. “To genuinely hear men’s voices and adapt our efforts to meet their needs effectively.”
As barbers across Florida prepare to take on new roles as mental health advocates, this project exemplifies how health promotion can thrive in trusted, everyday community spaces.
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