A Bracken Ridge hairdresser has created a safe space for those struggling with mental health challenges.

Connie, 41- is a soft spoken African Australian hairdresser and owner of Kayisi African Hair Boutique located in the Brisbane suburb of Bracken Ridge. She has been providing her hair dressing services at this location for nearly two years and over that time has seen a stream of women mostly from African Australian background but also other black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who not only come for a well-deserved hairdo but to also sit and chat about life.

It is from these often organic conversations that rapport is built with Connie and the women sometimes start to open up about their experiences with coping with the stresses of life. Connie knows too well about the overwhelming impact of stress and sometimes limited support for African Australian Women and other BIPOC.

As a new mom and a from refugee background, Connie’s early life in Brisbane was full of challenges. After many years in a refugee camp in Nigeria she had high expectations of what Australian life would be like. She would be safe here, able to work and support family, relatives and close friends back at her home country.

A story familiar to many people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Those who have managed to leave their countries of origin, often have the overwhelming burden of care and responsibility for those left behind. This often compounds the pressure to become more successful. When that doesn’t become a reality, feelings of failure, disappointment, disconnect and loss can begin to spiral individuals into the land of abyss.

Connie had wanted to become a journalist, so while she was in Nigeria, she was able to access opportunities to further her career in mass communication, setting her into a path imagined and almost realised.

Upon arriving in Perth where the family first settled, unfortunately, Australia did not recognise Connie’s overseas qualifications, and she was expected to start from square one. She decided to change her career to study nursing. However, at the age of 31 Connie was no longer a young woman with dreams but was a married woman about to have her first child. Connie’s world became a little darker, challenges with her nursing studies, the lack of support and limited social connections began to overwhelm her, and as a result her mental health declined.

Connie’s husband, also new in the country, was also facing the same challenges. With a degree in primary education and 9 years of experience overseas – these skills were not recognised, and he had to start all over again. The stresses of being new parents and settlement challenges combined with lack of support, it all became too much for Connie. She felt rejected by her new community, abandoned, and questioning her value and existence. As the mental pain become too much to bear - Connie attempted to take her own life which resulted in admission to a mental health acute inpatient hospital and her life spared.

Connie recognises that her struggles are and were not unique. Many of the women who come to her suburban hair salon in Bracken ridge, not only come for the hairdo, sometimes they drop in to be seen, to be heard and to be supported. Immediately they go through Kayisi Hair, all those worries melt away, albeit temporarily, Connie’s warmth, and calm nature has always had that effect on people.

Connie attributes hairdressing as a skill that would eventually set her to a path of recovery and healing. Like many African girls and women – learning the art of hair braiding and black haircare is an essential skill often passed down through generations. Connie recalled that she was always eager to learn and perfect black hair care when she had the opportunity to do that while waiting for her results from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency refugee camp adult program and would practice on her friends, cousins and other relatives.

However, it was when she was in a mental health inpatient hospital that her art of hairdressing saved her life. She started braiding hair of other patients in the ward and watched the incredible transformation that resulted from those interactions. From one strand of hair, to braiding full the head would sometimes take hours. Connie worked through many patients, young and old and one head at a time.

She recalls the warmth, the smiles, and the incredible reframing that resulted in looking at self differently and how that changed people’s perception of self and own ability to influence change in their life – "PyschoHairapy" in action. Upon hospital discharge, Connie asked her caseworker if she could volunteer to continue braiding patients’ hair. A request still pending to be actioned.

Connie attributes the experience of braiding other patients' hair as a big part of her why Kayisi African Hair Boutique was born. With the support of local Brisbane women including Anthea Balfour , @RitaAfua and Sharon Orapeleng , Connie decided to dedicate one of the rooms for the women struggling with mental health challenges and other issues such as domestic violence.

“When I arrived at Connie’s salon, I was greeted with a warm hug, and smile, but also a cuppa of tea with some traditional African treats. I immediately felt safe and at home” said Sharon Orapeleng, a mental health advocate.

“That day I spent with Connie, I observed Connie, busy with braiding of a client, but also looking after this blonde, blue eyed baby boy, who she occasionally wrapped with her Chitenge (the African cloth) to safely secure him to her back – the African way. “

“I later learned that the little boy’s mum had been struggling with life issues, and Connie as a caring neighbour, had simply walked to this woman’s door and asked if she could look after the baby for the day at Kayisi Hair, to give mum a break,”

“When mum came at 5pm to pick her child, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. This was a true reflection of the act of kindness and ubuntu that can save lives”.

Through the collaboration with African Australian Women Association and the financial support from Australia Post Community Grants program #2022APGrants, the YAKE space was officially opened on 25 March 2023 and continues to be a lived experience safe space for any woman. At the YAKE space – women come as they are for a chat, a cuppa, or simply a hug or a nap.

Connie has also recently been through the Mental Health First Aid International training through Psyched Solutions Consultancy and has acquired skills and knowledge to support people access professional support services when required.

This year World Suicide Prevention Day (held on 10 September) theme was “Creating Hope Through Action”, a call to action and a reminder that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention of suicide. Connie’s YAKE space is doing just that – creating hope to those who need.

As we observed R U OK Day here in Australia on Thursday September 14, 2023, and we were again being reminded to check in with people we care about, and let them know we are here and to really hear them. Creating safe spaces in our communities is an action each of us can take, no act is too big or too small. It requires kindness and non-judgement and together we may just turn the tide on the tragedy of suicide.

On Sunday 08 October, to commemorate the start of Queensland Mental Health Week (an annual awareness week that aims to shine a spotlight on individual and community mental health), YAKE space will host an afternoon tea session from 12 – 2pm, an opportunity for the women (and interested service providers) to create awareness, belonging and connection, essential protective factors for positive mental health and wellbeing.

You can support Connie and the YAKE space by visiting Kayisi African Hair Boutique, 53 Gawain Rd, Bracken Ridge QLD 4017 or call +61 432 091 161 , email: [email protected] – alternatively or email YAKE space advisor Sharon Orapeleng @[email protected]

If you or someone you know need support-please call the following helplines or visit your local GP .

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14

Multicultural Connect Line 1300 079 020

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78

1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55)

If you are interested to learn more about our upcoming MHFA courses or you like to collaborate with us to deliver targeted mental health awareness training to your organisation or workplace please email us at [email protected]