Disrupting Systems of Stigma: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Approach Regarding Mental Health Education for Black Men in Barbershop Settings

Black men experience disproportionate barriers to accessing mental health care due to stigma, systemic racism, and the cultural incongruence of services. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to examine how barbershop settings function as culturally grounded spaces for mental health education. Using qualitative secondary data analysis, this study employed narrative inquiry and systems theory to analyze three narratives from a barber, a social worker, and a supervisor. Findings revealed three major themes: barbershops function as cultural micro-systems of safety, education serves as cultural translation, and narrative serves as a tool for disrupting stigma. These results demonstrate the transformative potential of barbershops as community-based learning environments. Future directions call for the development of culturally anchored outreach strategies to expand mental health access for Black men.