Care Beyond the Chair: be nice. Initiative Brings Mental Health Awareness to Salons

WHAT IS THE BE NICE. MOVEMENT?

The be nice. movement, founded by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, is a mental health education and suicide prevention program designed to equip individuals with the tools to recognize and react to mental health challenges, creating a culture of compassion and empowerment. 

At the heart of the movement is a four-step action plan – Notice, Invite, Challenge, and Empower. Proven to save lives, this action plan encourages individuals to support themselves and others by taking action and seeking appropriate professional help when exhibiting concerning behavior or mental health changes.

THE FOUR-STEP ACTION PLAN: HOW BE NICE. WORKS

1. Notice what is right and good about someone. 

Understand what is normal for someone behaviorally, physically, and psychologically, so that you can observe when something is different about the way that person is thinking, acting, or feeling. People struggling with thoughts of death or suicide often give some sign of their intentions — be someone who can notice!

2. Invite yourself to reach out and start a caring conversation. 

If you notice changes lasting two weeks or longer, it's time to check in with that person, as they may be struggling with their mental health, or open up to someone you trust if you are personally struggling. Social connection is proven to help mental, physical, and emotional well-being; a sense of belonging is a human need. Take a risk — invite yourself to make a difference.

3. Challenge stigma 

There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health. You can fight stigma by opening up about mental health, being supportive and showing compassion for others, and educating yourself on the basics and signs of mental health struggles. Are you up to the challenge?

4. Empower yourself and others 

Understand that YOU and others have the power to impact how a person thinks, acts, and feels. You can make a difference in a world where mental health is skyrocketing and stigma is real. Feel empowered — Be the difference.

CARE BEYOND THE CHAIR:  EXTENDING KINDNESS IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Within the be nice. movement, Care Beyond the Chair is a specialized branch focused on health and wellbeaing within the hair and beauty industry. Throughout their day-to-day, hairstylists, barbers, salon professionals, and salon owners touch the lives of countless people, often forming close and trusted relationships with their clients and staff.

💡 Why It Matters:

  • Clients may share personal feelings during appointments

  • Salon professionals can become trusted listeners

  • Transform salons into a safe, supportive space

Care Beyond the Chair specifically aims to equip salon professionals with the tools and knowledge to recognize the signs of mental health challenges, because care doesn’t end with a haircut or service. 

Maly’s@ManocoBlue is a proud participant of the Care Beyond the Chair initiative.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Behavioral Signs:

  • Expressing helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness

  • Social isolation and avoidance

  • Sudden drug or alcohol use

  • Frequent emotional episodes or meltdowns

  • Quitting activities they once loved like a sport or hobby

  • Loss of motivation and neglect of responsibilities

  • Oversleeping or lack of sleep

Physical Signs:

  • Neglect of hygiene, self-care, and personal appearance

  • Fatigue or lack of energy

  • Overeating or loss of appetite

  • Noticeable weight loss or gain

  • Unexplained aches or pains

Psychological Signs:

  • Increased irritability or frequent anger

  • Persistent sadness, guilt or indecisiveness

  • Emotional numbness

  • Frequent self-criticism or negative self-talk

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

  • Feelings of hopelessness or loneliness

WHY PREVENTION MATTERS: UPSTREAM MENTAL HEALTH ACTION

Unlike many other programs that promote mental health , be nice. takes an upstream approach — acting early to reduce risk and focusing on prevention rather than solely intervening after a crisis has already occurred.

By encouraging proactive support, be nice. empowers individuals to take action and seek professional help in situations where others are struggling and to stand up to negative and unkind behavior.

The program builds:

  • Positive and supportive culture changes

  • Closer community engagement

  • Increased mental health referrals

  • A wide ripple effect of kindness

Together, this helps to create environments where people can feel safe, supported, and acknowledged.

FINAL THOUGHTS: KINDNESS ISN’T JUST NICE – ITS NECESSARY


Join The Movement!

Visit https://www.benice.org to bring Care Beyond the Chair to your salon or to learn more about how to get involved in the be nice movement.

📌 THE FACTS:

  • 8 out of 10 people considering suicide show warning signs

  • More than 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition

  • 43% of Americans feel that their relationships are not meaningful and report feeling isolated

  • 95% of individuals say they would help someone struggling if they knew what to do

  • 65% of individuals say there are barriers to discussing mental health topics

  • 30% of individuals say they don't know what to do or say when it comes to mental health

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