ELK GROVE, Calif. — At Dream Girls hair salon in Elk Grove, Black women are putting their mental health first. They get together once a month at the salon to talk about their challenges, successes and life experiences.
Licensed mental health professionals help them navigate topics like building healthy relationships and recognizing the signs of depression while getting support from hairstylists.
"We're all about uplifting, empowering and helping Black women," said Dream Girls owner Sharie Wilson. "Black salons and barbershops have always been the place that people go to get counsel, talk about their problems and vent about what's going on at home. You definitely need a listening ear, but you need the right listening ear."
According to the American Psychiatric Association, only one in three Black people who need mental health care receive it. Some of the barriers include stigma, affordability and access to care. It's why the Greater Sacramento Urban League started the Cut to the Chase: The Crown Edition program Thursday. It's all about raising awareness about mental health in Black communities.
"We have the resources, certified therapists, and free counseling sessions," said Ronnie L. Cobb with the Greater Sacramento Urban League. "If you come and you want to get help and do better, once you realize that's what you need, we have the tools now to help you."
In July, ABC10's Race and Culture team shared how the Greater Sacramento Urban League started the "Cut to the Chase" program at barbershops to help Black men with their mental health. Now, "The Crown Edition" is available to support Black women, too.
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"Cut to the Chase is important," said Troy Williams with the Greater Sacramento Urban League. "It addresses mental health stigma. It also allows folks to be introduced to therapy, so that eventually they end up going to a therapist on their own. We wanted to get a Black-owned organization, Heart of the Matter Counseling, and hopefully folks will begin to use their services."
LaTasha Moon, who lives in the Greater Sacramento region, says she decided to participate in the women-only program for self-care and help with managing everyday stressors in life. She plans on spreading the word and introducing her friends to the program.
"It's a safe space and there's so much good information," Moon said. "As a Black woman and nurse, I deal with a lot of stress. I never had a therapist before or ever really spoke about any issues. I kind of just take it as they come, but now I'm really excited about the Cut to the Chase Crown Edition, and I'm looking forward to our next conversations with so many important women in the community."
LaTasha Hubbart is a hair stylist at Dream Girls and participated in the program. She says she's glad the salon is helping to host the therapy group sessions. She added Black women need a safe place to get together for support and encouragement.
"Mental health is very important," Hubbart said. "I feel like it's just as important as physical health. We definitely have to have an outlet for our mental and emotional health. When we sit down and we start sharing our stories with each other, this becomes a sacred place and it becomes a place where we can let our hair down, literally."
The Cut to the Chase: The Crown Edition program is being offered at Dream Girls Hair Salon every third Thursday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m.
The salon is located at 9090 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove. The session dates are: Feb. 15, Mar. 21, Apr. 18, May 16, June 20 and Aug. 15.
The program is also being hosted at It’s My Hair Salon every fourth Thursday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m.
The salon is located at 3830 Northgate Blvd #100 in Sacramento. The session dates are: Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 28, Apr. 25, May 23, June 27 and Aug. 22.
To learn more about the program, visit the Greater Sacramento Urban League website here.
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