The salons of Togo are a cornerstone of the West African community. “You go to get your hair done, but it’s also many more things,” says Marie-Celine Agossa, hair dresser and historian. “It’s a place of gossip, to hear the local folklore. A place to share celebration, a place to love.”
Now, it’s also a place for women to seek counseling for their mental health. The Bluemind Foundation’s Heal by Hair program is training local Togolese hairstylists to offer psychological support to clients who appear to be in distress. “In the past, we didn t really talk about mental health and it was very rare to even be able to go see a psychologist,” says Zoubéida Namoro, one of the day’s models. “It was always seen as something for white people or outsiders but not necessarily for people from Africa. But through being associated with something normal like the salon, it’s now more accessible with less of a stigma.”
Each of the 13 women in this portfolio was chosen for their role in the Togolese community. They include six women trained by the Bluemind Foundation and seven from the community who have either openly spoken about their own struggles or work in the medical field.
For hairstylist Da Silveira Têlè Akouavi, whose mother worked in the same profession, it changed her daily life. “Before when clients talked to me about their worries, I used to direct them to pastors, without seeking to understand the root cause of the problem,” she says. “But now, because of my training, I react differently. And I have noticed so much positive change.”
“During lunch we had conversations about mental health both for men and women,” says photographer Delali Ayivi. “We shared our experiences especially around the lack of professional support in the country.”
“We re a small country, but it s our braids that talk,” says hair designer Patron Aime.
Inspired by an archival style created by legendary braider Patron Aime, these two looks started with traditional braids. From there, the braided hats were added to represent thoughts swirling through the client s mind as they sit in the hair salon.
“We need to work on holistic approaches that specifically tackle mental health for women,” says Ornella Priscilla Hundeglah. “We re working on creating an environment that s more inclusive, so women can feel free to speak openly.”
Photographed by Delali Ayivi
Hair Design: Patron Aime, Marie-Celine Agossa
DP: Neil Kwesi Bakar
Styling: Djiedjom Hundeglah
Makeup: Makeup: Adjélé Fafa Wilson
Blue Mind Foundation Delegate, Togo: Honoré Kokou Lata
Hairdressers from the Blue Mind Foundation: Adaku Adama Hondeglah, Têlé Akouavi Da Silveira, El Secret, Afi Adanleté, Hélene Azoyivo, Akou Ahidokpo
Additional cast: Noèlie Telou, Zoubéida Namoro, Ohiniba Madjri, N C J Ameyo Bakar, Ornella Priscilla Hundeglah, Marthe Ani, Tchangaï Pierrette
