Barbers For 988

What Is 988?

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, even after 988 is launched nationally.

s u i c i d e p r e v e n t i o n l i f e l i n e .o r g /c u r r e n t -e v e n t s /t h e -l i f e l i n e -a n d -9 8 8

Why Barbers?

Barbers are leaders and gatekeepers in the Black male community. For as long as we can remember, barbershops have been a safe space for Black boys and men. In fact, it was one of the only places a Black man could go to feel safe. It's not just a place to get your haircut. It is a vulnerable place where men make connections, share stories, and make lifelong friends.

The Confess Project has utilized the barbershop as a place to raise Mental Health Awareness for Black boys and men, and has trained over 1,000 barbers in over 40 cities to be Mental Health Advocates. Now not only can these men share a laugh in the barbershop, they can also open up about their Mental Health struggles while spreading awareness to family, friends, and community.

This is where Barbers for 988 comes in. Did you know on average, barbers serve 100 clients per month? This means through our barbers network, we are reaching 1 million people annually through barbershops? This is why The Confess Project is utilizing our barbers who are trained Mental Health Advocates to spread awareness about the new crisis hotline, 988. With the help of our barbers and you, we will make 988 reach even more people than we could ever imagine to get them the help they need in a crisis.

July 16th 2022

Click below to be reminded about the watch party!

About Us

America’s First Mental Health Barbershop Movement

The Confess Project has the first and largest organization committed to building a culture of mental health for Black boys, men, and their families by focusing on empowering barbers and stylist to become frontline heroes and sheroes in Communities across America.

Barber Testimonial

Allow me to introduce J. "Divine" Alexander, he has been a licensed professional barber for 25 years as well as a shop owner for 20 years. He is a very active concern citizen of his community in Louisville, KY, where he is involved with grooming the homeless, in addition to advocating for those suffering from mental health issues.

J. "Divine" Alexander Ambassador from Louisville, KY

One to four people that are killed by law enforcement have a mental illness. One to three of those people are people of color.

The Confess Project is helping to raise awareness for the new emotional distress and suicidal crisis hotline, 988.

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.

In partnership with The