LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – A partnership between the Barber Education Academy and the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is offering free haircuts every Thursday in May from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The initiative is part of Mental Health Awareness Month and aims to help individuals during a busy time of year that includes prom, banquets and graduation.
Maria Garcia with AHEC said the program is designed to take pressure off families during an expensive season.
“We know that the month of May there’s a lot of stuff going on with the schools, prom, banquets, and graduation and to take a little bit of that pressure off of something that they have to pay for, it’s a great idea to go and get a free haircut,” Garcia said.
Appointments can be made by calling the Barber Education Academy at 956-608-3232. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Coffee cups to carry mental health messages
AHEC is also collaborating with PJ’s Coffee to promote mental health awareness. The coffee shop will write special messages on cups every Friday in May.
Garcia said the messages are intended to provide encouragement throughout the week.
“We never know if we just need that extra push throughout the week, and what better way to see it than in something you love, which is coffee,” Garcia said.
Monthly crisis lifeline rallies continue
AHEC hosts monthly rallies at the corner of McPherson and Delmar on the last Friday of each month to promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The rallies take place year-round.
The 988 number is free, available 24 hours a day, and completely confidential. People can call or text for help.
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