I work as a Clinical Psychologist and for most of my career, I have worked with adults with long term health problems who also experience resulting mental health difficulties.

Alopecia (hair loss) is a big issue for Black women and often causes a lot of anxiety, sadness and worry but, there is practically nothing written about in the UK mental health literature. I found this out during my own experience of getting a diagnosis.

The aim of my Fellowship is to explore culturally effective ways of helping Black women who live with distressing hair loss (through various causes), such as training hairdressers to provide mental health first aid.

My project is inspired by the work of an African-American psychologist which recognises that hair, our collective hair stories (narratives) and spirituality are important factors in Black holistic health and wellbeing.

I am therefore particularly interested to apply this model to the issue of hair loss and how the training and development of hairdressers as ''active community enablers' of positive mental wellbeing for such clients, can make a difference here in the UK.