Hairdresser Refuses To Shave Depressed Teen’s Hair, Spends 13 Hours Fixing It
Depression sometimes makes even the most basic tasks, like brushing your hair in the morning, seem impossible. When a struggling 16-year-old girl came into an Iowa salon with tangled, matted hair, she told stylist Kayley Olsson to “just cut it all off.” Instead, Olsson did a good deed by working a record-breaking two days and 13 hours to restore both the young lady’s hair and her confidence.
20-year-old Olsson, who works at Capri Waterloo salon, shared before and after photos of the incredible transformation on Facebook after completing the landmark makeover on August 8th, and the entire Internet was shaken. The post went viral, with more than 75 thousand shares and almost 200 thousand likes on this beautiful example of selflessly helping others. Most importantly, the young girl’s new hairstyle was ready just in time for her back-to-school pictures!
On a more serious note, if you’re concerned that someone close to you may be experiencing depression or other mental health issues, their physical appearance may say even more than their words. Lack of personal hygiene and self-care is a serious symptom of chronic depression, and for women and girls, this often includes hair care. It’s amazing how something as simple as a new haircut can do so much for a person’s state of mind! See the amazing results for yourself below, and have your faith in humanity restored.
An Iowa hairstylist recently shared this photo of a young client who came to her salon looking for help
The story behind this tangled mess of hair is now going viral, and for the best reasons
Some people put the blame on the teen’s parents for the extent of her issues
Others, however, commended the stylist for her understanding and dedication
What do you think? Feel-good story or sign of a child in need of help? Tell us below!
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I completely agree. Everyday I lose my faith in humanity but then I read some bored panda post and *boom* faith in humanity restored
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It's incredible how one person wishing to help another person can create such a huge ripple effect of warmth and happiness. Helping one person gives hope to other people too.
It just goes to show that good things can happen and good people do exist.
Sometimes a parent is lost. Either they have never experienced soul distorting depression or they just don't want to deal with it. My mother always wanted to help but never knew how. She's gone now and at 55 I still suffer from can't comb my hair times even with medication. Thank you to the hairdresser for helping this child
I'm in the same situation. Treatment options where I live are limited. Let'e try to stay strong!
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Two days and 13 hours is not the same as 13 hours split between two days!
For those who say the parents where not helping! You don't know the journey the whole family has taken you just see one persons results. When your child is 15-16 years old and are dealing with low self-esteem and a major depressive disorder, there is nothing you can promise or punish to get them to do something they don't want to do. You really are at a loss and regular psychiatry appointment are difficult if the refuse to participate. So please don't blame just praise the stylist for her never say die spirit and pray for the young lady and her family.
I hope that this girl walked out feeling better, and it has given her a new outlook on life. Depression is something to not be taken lightly. Everyone saying why didn't the parents do something, whos to say that they didn't? Its sad that she got to this point but we are only hearing what the stylist has to say and nothing from the client or her parents.
I love you for what you did ! Being a sufferer of depression, I know just how hard it was for that beautiful girl to get to your saloon. I salute you for accepting her like she is, without jugement and kindness. I hope that she find a treatement that works for her. Hugs and kisses to both of you <3
Depression knocks you for six, I've suffered it and pushed people away when they have tried to help me, I'm sure her parents had the same
I've had a somewhat similar experience with my hair stylist a little over three years back, giving me a much needed boost of confidence at the time.
As someone who is currently fighting depression, this definitely restored my faith in humanity! People shouldn't blame the parents.
You can't know. As soon as my mother stopped taking depression meds herself, she thought everyone can fight it her way. But her way is changing job. That won't work for me and so I will live another few years hearing that I can "push it away". And she is just 16! Of course the parents should have done something. Yes, I also can't know if they did/could, but it seems they weren't even trying.
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WHAT I take away from this is... don't let depression hold you hostage, it will do a number on you- physically, mentally and spiritually! I've had several family members that have battled with depression, my late Mother being one of them, and seeing first hand to what it does to a person really takes it out of you to witness another human being suffer without getting help. Seek help, because you're not the only one going through it.
Depression is a thing, there is no rhyme or reason for it (usually) and there's no "just get over it". People with depression need help and it's amazing when people around you are so incredibly helpful and nice. It doesn't "fix" a depression, but it reminds you that your life isn't only miserable, there's good moments too..
I believe we are put here on this earth to be kind and to help each other, to love one another...even strangers. May God truly bless this stylist, I know he will.
Depression drains the life out of you. Overcoming it may require fixing imperfections that brings you down. Well done Ms. Olsson, you just saved a precious God given life.
Both. It feels good that someone cared enough to do what was necessary to help that child and not what was easiest and also shows that the child does need help.
As someone who suffers from depression frequently this article almost made me cry. For once it was not because the world is cruel but because this stylist took the time and made the effort to help this girl feel beautiful again. If you have never suffered from depression you probably will not understand why this is such a big deal, but to this girl it meant everything. So thank you for helping her.
Sometimes a depressed teen doesnt want the parents to force her to clean or groom herself. A lack of self-care - especially haircare - is a sign of compromised mental health. Thank you to the understanding hairdresser. X
the hair dresser who fixed the girls hair should be applauded. she mentioned mental illness being a real thing, i can really relate, because i have a son in his 30,s who struggles with mental illness , and for me it is an everyday battle. his hair is also the same exact way, and i have struggled to help him with it, it is also matted, along side his mental illness, he also struggles with an addiction, is violent at times and out of touch with reality. my heart sunk when someone blamed the parents, for the daughters issues, my son has struggled with his issues for many years, and in all those years as well people have pointed fingers, from every direction. but i would like to say some things in life are not understood until you are right smack dab in the middle of the situation your self, in other words , do not judge unless you have walked a mile in my shoes. and i wish the girl a happy life.
Please do not blame the parents , nor anyone else about the girl's depression. The parents were probably suffering, too. Often it is an impulse from the outside world that improves things. A big thank you to the hair stylist!
Good job hair stylist! You were a hero to this young girl. My daughter and son have struggled with depression and anxiety- I have seen my sons hair become as matted as could be but he would not allow me to go through it, when he did it was a nightmare to finally get it perfect, only to have him let it get matted again- he finally graduated high school and cut his hair- but I remember the heartache of silently untangling an impossible pile of hair. You are awesome, thank you and I hope the young girl gets some help so it doesn't happen again.
im a stroke survivor as i am also living with Severe Anxiety disorder that 2 winters ago it got so bad I was in the ER 5 out of 7 days for quite a few months. I am a 50 yr old grandmother ands mother of 4 (each). Something Ive been telling people for years, :we are not only parents of our own children, but of every child. Who says we should give up mothering simply because we are not their parent. To Hair dresser~ Thank you for taking the tim e to show another womans child how it feels to be loved. I only pray that if my children are ever in need (or my GC) that you are there to be Mom or GMom stand in for me. And I yours as well!!!
I'm a stylist. Stories similar to these happen all the time. I've spent hours transforming someone and the delight on their face makes it so worth it.
The article makes you smile, and the comments bring you back to reality. Modern times.
People who blame parents clearly never had a depressed teen. Shame on you for shaming parents. Compassion please...for all.
I know a gorl who is 24 yrs old and she has some kinda problem that she does not get out of her bed from more than a year . She does not comb her hair too her hair are all tangled lyk dis girls' were..... i think she is also depressed
Your friendship will be very valuable to her if that is something you can do.
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Thanks to the stylist who helped this young lady- I'm hoping that the depression is treated further than appearance- she needs further help
I just want to point out that I suffer from major depressive disorder and some of this is hereditary. Before you go bashing her parents they may need help themselves. Many people that have depression are in denial especially when people who don't understand it are telling them to get over it, or it's all in your head. I watched my mama cry because she had to get all her hair cut off too. When one sick person is taking care of another it doesn't usually work out. Please pray for the family.
I understand how she feels... ive cut all my hair off for the same reason she was wanting too. It was such a mess... i feel like a worthless waste of life.
She unfortunately will need more help than just the one day though. I can not understand whoever is supposedly looking after her, they are failing badly and so are ALL family members
My daughter suffers from depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia. The shop she had gone to for 7 yrs messed up her appointment. I had called completely coincidentally and found my daughter was supposed to be there at that moment. My daughter was there within 5/10 minutes and i was there shortly after. Knowing my daughter's history and having already consulted and known what she was there for and having been the only hairdresser to color my daughter's hair in 7 yrs you'd think no problem... WRONG... the stylist was rude, my daughter pleaded with her as she had a special event that night. So with the bitchiest of attitudes she took my daughter and changed her color from platinum blonde to dark chestnut brown. I was shocked... beyond unprofessional, beyond cruel, beyond evil. 6 months later, we've slowly been getting her hair lighter again at a cost so far well over 1,000.00 she's had to cut at least 7 inches of her hair and will rarely leave the house crying most days.
This kind of generosity is hard to find nowadays......a big thanks to the stylist for this great effort for the girl this maybe had saved her life...it was nice to find people who are really caring and lovely...god bless the stylist...you brought her confidence back and made her love herself..😊😊
This was the best thing the stylist could do....a great effort....it brought confidence in her and maybe saved her life....a big thanks to the stylist to be so lovely and caring, such generosity is hard to find nowadays...
For those who are chiding the parents: Have you ever thought that the parents may also be in state of depression? Unless I missed something, I saw nothing in the story that would make me condemn them. A single parent struggling to cope with her own problems? If you're so damned smart that you know for a fact her parents are abusing her, you alert the authorities.
It’s both a cry for help and an amazing humanitarian. The stylist is amazing!
The stylist is indeed an angel. I suffer from depression and my haiir, which was half-way down my back ended up the same way. I wanted desperately to have it repaired but I ended up having to cut it off. Not only did the stylist fix her hair, she helped this young lady feel worth it and valuable.
Wonderful story! I'm so glad the girl walked into THAT salon! It's nice to know good people are still around ❤❤ As for people blaming parents it's possible that she was able to hide her symptoms until they got to that point. Depressed people get very good at lieing about being okay and hiding under clothing/hats/excuses. I hid my self harm from everyone until one cut got infected and my GP put it together. Some parents just don't know what to do or how to help support their child even if they do see the problem, some times all they can do is try to make sure the child is eating. Sadly others (like my mother) will blame hormones or lazieness or even activiely try to make things worse. It's hard to know for sure which situation this girl and her parents where/are in.
Severe depression is about how one feels about him/her self. If someone feels worthless, their friends and family can try to "jolly them up"...it won't work while the person feels worthless. When I am depressed, I simply don't care enough about myself to bother with hygiene (self care), clean clothes, eating....only a person with some amount of self respect does those things. What the girl did for herself, was show up at that salon. What the hairdresser did, was not treat the girl like a regular customer. She took special interest in the girl, and showed her that she was WORTH extra time, and effort. Strangers sonetimes have a bigger impact than family, because they aren't obligated to put forth extra effort.
Has anyone ever had gum stuck in their hair and tried getting it out? It freaking hurts! Brushing those matts out is abuse!
Where were her parents? Sure they could have taken her for help or call someone who knew what was going on. Helping her to bathe and wash and comb her hair would have been a pleasure. The dandruff alone was horrid and suggested she had a bad problem. No girl of that age would let her hair go like that. The girl still needs to seek professional mental help. The hairstyle is simply a stop gap. WAKE UP PARENTS, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, FRIENDS...
that poor kid. im not sure how it was at home, but yhis child should NEVER have been so neglected. And yes. I know what depression is, how it feels. That one probably needed a good anti depressant and professional help. I hope she is getting both now and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Depression is something that comes and goes. I sincerely hope she has a good support system now. Big big hugs to this little lady.
It would be nice if they became friends as there's only 4 years between them. The hairdresser is the type of friend most people need
Not knowing the entire story, I think people need to see it from all sides before calling the parent(s) bad. They could have been trying for days or weeks to help her, by brushing her hair, washing her hair, taking her to a doctor, etc... but she's a 16 year old. You can't just pick them up and haul them to the shower or doctor. And maybe theyve tried but she would scream or cry or hit to be left alone. Depression is still a taboo subject, example being those that called her parents horrible instead of trying to understand what a parent with a depressed child goes through, especially in a time when we don't talk enough about how to handle a depressed child. Maybe this girl drove herself to the salon to say screw it, cut my hair, or maybe her mom offered to take her to the salon to do something nice and she accepted, but then alone with the hair stylist told her to just get rid of her hair.
This poor girl needs a counselor and antidepressants, and all our prayers.
So, after her hair was .... uh ..... normalized, she felt that she was worthy of living? What does that say about our values as a society?
The reality is that she has probably been bullied. She has probably been told she is worthless by her peers. Kids these days are so mean and from what I have seen, their parents just protect them from consequences and blame the victims for the issue. I'm more upset with parents who think their kids can do no wrong all the while they are inflicting so much pain and hate on others.
How wonderful for the hairstylist to help with what she could. And how horrible for people to blame the parents. We don't know what's going on with the family. We don't know how the girl even got to the salon. Maybe her parents took her hoping that it would lead to a fresh start. Maybe they're suffering from mental health problems as well. My mom, dad, little brother, youngest sister, and I all have clinical depression. When there are multiple people in a household with a problem like this it can get overwhelming.
omg the stylist is so kind and empathetic and inspirational, I want 2 b as nice and kind as her when I grow up
WE MUST STOP JUDGING, CRITISIZING, PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ENCOURAGING UPLIFTING TO SAY. YOUR WORD CAN BE LIFE OR DEATH. SINCE YOU DON'T KNOW THE PARENTS OF THIS CHILD REFRAIN SELF!!!!
Love the hairstylist who did this! What a beautiful story. However, those who blame the parents have no clue what they're talking about. Unless you have parented a teen with depression, you can't possibly understand the fear and sense of helplessness. And being blamed, or God forbid having someone call child protective services, only makes the situation far worse. Stop judging her poor parents! I'm sure they did all they could.
When you factor in the stylist was only 4 years older than the girl with the matted hair, it speaks to the stylist's level of maturity, compassion and resolve to make her client's life better. This may seem like a cosmetic adjustment to some but I'm confident the young client's entire outlook changed once her hair was restored - and it's freaking gorgeous, too! I hope she gets help and things continue to look up for her. As for the stylist, well done. <3
People need to stop banging the parents. Y'all don't know what the parents have done. It's hard to try to support a depressed person.
She did it and she had a wonderful help!!! She turned out to be beautiful and hope she starts this journey as a beginning of happiness
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When I went through one of my depression episodes I finally caved in and called my parents. I told them about it (they live overseas and I was alone during college, a completely different setup in our culture) and they were shocked. My father in particular was in disbelief. Depression is non existent where I live (Philippines). People treat it as something that "will be gone in a day or two". They will look at you like an outcast, a mental patient. Once you utter the word and asked for help you will feel shamed. That is why, I feel happy that not all people are like that (it is perhaps because we are mainly a religious Catholic country). It makes me have faith in humanity again. That someone out there will understand.
This stylist needs some kind of award! Most would have saved themselves tne trouble and just shaved her head thankyou to the lady who did this! You are an amazing person!
What a thoughtful and kind thing to do for someone who is obviously going through a very rough time! Perhaps some people who commented so harshly about her family should consider that they may be doing everything they can for her and may, in fact, have helped her to take the very BRAVE step she was taking. Depression is such an ugly illness, it creeps up and just wrangles your life away, and no one even realizes it's happening.
Well done! Small things like this do make EVERYONE'S life more worth living. This young lady will not overcome her depressions without serious, medical help though.
The pain and suffering is not only felt by the person depressed, those around them, their family etc. The fact that this lady was able to get to a hairdresser, have the money to do so, was STILL IN SCHOOL are all testaments to the parenting she is receiving. Teenagers are hell on wheels without depression, if parents ask them to do anything its usually met with some kind of negative, if it is not the want of the teen (not all) its puberty, raging hormones whatever. There are also kids that are just having s****y days, lives etc, depression is that by a bazillion. Imagine how hard it would be to watch your child be completely changed by something you cannot see. It is one thing to know life is hard as an adult, but to see a child, your child OF ANY AGE be so broken by the world they live in, you are helpless. Many blame themselves, but they don't know what they are fighting, often depression is not a thing, it is not physical in form, it is not the school bully taking your lunch money.
can we stop playin the blame game & realize there should b more people willing 2 help n a situation like this? god bless u 4 the simple act of beauty & kinsness u poured out on the world! i would love 2 have a friend like u & a few dozen more. don't get me wrong, i agree sum1 should've been paying attention. i just think its sad the way human nature tends 2 always thinks about the negative 1st & misses the gift of simple goodness right n front of them
Beautiful achievement and well done to both the stylist and girl.Flawless results and confidence sky rockets.
Feel good story And a sign of a child still in need of help. The child will still need support and love and patience and constant motivation to keep her willingness to smile.
I hope the stylist Thanked the young girl for letting her do it .She must have felt like a million ,when it was done.
yes, parents/guardians are responsible for her well being- but it's possible that they are suffering too- this entire family needs help!
I sometimes think that teens get into this point into the depression because parents classify everything as "a phase" . This kind of weight can get carried into adulthood and noone really helps them. The lady did a really nice thing, but that teen needs a lot more help right now.
Does everyone here really think a haircut it going to solve this poor girls problems?? Yes, it's a start, but she needs serious help from a professional....and not a hair professional.
I would think that the fact she even went to a hairdresser means she is improving already.
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The stylist is just such a wonderful soul <3 The parents in the other hand...
Oh, I didn't know you were friends with the girl and her family... please tell us more, oh wise one.
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Great effort from her hairdresser. Her parents need to do the same. That little girl is going to feel better for a couple weeks and then be right back down in the hole again. I speak from experience. Depression management is a daily chore. However, people don't need to suffer from depression anymore. There is an herbal fix for that now. I know it's a world of fraud out there and people are skeptical, but this is not one of them. It really works. I've been on it for 2 years, and it's helped so many people. It's even helped people get off of drugs like Adderall, which are killing them. Order a sample and try it for yourself. https://theinterstellarplan.com/product/trinity/?wpam_id=65
When I went through a depressive episode as a teen, my mother was going through one as well, and much more severely so, and my father has paranoid schizofrenia, so he wasn't really in the picture by that time. My situation was picked up by my school and so I had help, but not everyone is able to get help or to accept it. It's easy to say: why didn't the parents do anything? But you don't know what this family went through. You don't even know if she has any parents. You don't know her or them at all. So keep your judgment to yourself.
Ok so the god damn teen is too lazy to take care of herself so someone else has to do it?
Oh my god it’s almost as if... she was so depressed that she only saw her worthlessness and that’s caused her to stop doing what she would usually do which includes brushing her hair. Please stop being a judge mental bitch and try to understand what this poor girl was going through at the time
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To be honest, I don't really think this is all that faith restoring...this hairdresser saved this girl some length, but could have easily given her a short Bob cut or other super chic short cut. And so she saved her life!? I'm not so sure, and this matted mess will be back again sooner than you think if the girl doesn't get real help (talk therapy,etc). To be actually helpful why not give the girl a cut or style that would look good within seconds of rolling out of bed. Her self worth should not be based upon her physically long hair, and if it is they the hair dressers should just separated the matted hair into individual dreadlocks. Problem solved with a long term solution, without all this pandering and praise for some supperficial feel good mainstream media story...
You dont know how depression works. First you cant feel like you can do anything. More things happen and it gets to the point of suicide...
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How hard was it for her parents to just sit behind her once a day and brush out her hair? If your kid is this depressed, why are you not helping? Brushing your child's hair is such a simple thing to do.
Her parents might have tried many times to brush her hair. Depression sometimes presents as anger in teenagers. She might not have let them brush her hair.
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I'm assuming the parents were witnessing their daughters hair go through all of this and her getting more depressed but they clearly didn't do anything? What kind of parents those? Kudos to the hairdresser for doing something (she did a BEAUTIFUL job) but it wouldn't have gotten this far if the parents paid attention to what was happening to their daughter.
You are just assuming that did nothing. You cannot force someone to get better on your terms.
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I completely agree. Everyday I lose my faith in humanity but then I read some bored panda post and *boom* faith in humanity restored
Load More Replies... It's incredible how one person wishing to help another person can create such a huge ripple effect of warmth and happiness. Helping one person gives hope to other people too.
It just goes to show that good things can happen and good people do exist.
Sometimes a parent is lost. Either they have never experienced soul distorting depression or they just don't want to deal with it. My mother always wanted to help but never knew how. She's gone now and at 55 I still suffer from can't comb my hair times even with medication. Thank you to the hairdresser for helping this child
I'm in the same situation. Treatment options where I live are limited. Let'e try to stay strong!
Load More Replies... Two days and 13 hours is not the same as 13 hours split between two days!
For those who say the parents where not helping! You don't know the journey the whole family has taken you just see one persons results. When your child is 15-16 years old and are dealing with low self-esteem and a major depressive disorder, there is nothing you can promise or punish to get them to do something they don't want to do. You really are at a loss and regular psychiatry appointment are difficult if the refuse to participate. So please don't blame just praise the stylist for her never say die spirit and pray for the young lady and her family.
I hope that this girl walked out feeling better, and it has given her a new outlook on life. Depression is something to not be taken lightly. Everyone saying why didn't the parents do something, whos to say that they didn't? Its sad that she got to this point but we are only hearing what the stylist has to say and nothing from the client or her parents.
I love you for what you did ! Being a sufferer of depression, I know just how hard it was for that beautiful girl to get to your saloon. I salute you for accepting her like she is, without jugement and kindness. I hope that she find a treatement that works for her. Hugs and kisses to both of you <3
Depression knocks you for six, I've suffered it and pushed people away when they have tried to help me, I'm sure her parents had the same
I've had a somewhat similar experience with my hair stylist a little over three years back, giving me a much needed boost of confidence at the time.
As someone who is currently fighting depression, this definitely restored my faith in humanity! People shouldn't blame the parents.
You can't know. As soon as my mother stopped taking depression meds herself, she thought everyone can fight it her way. But her way is changing job. That won't work for me and so I will live another few years hearing that I can "push it away". And she is just 16! Of course the parents should have done something. Yes, I also can't know if they did/could, but it seems they weren't even trying.
Load More Replies... WHAT I take away from this is... don't let depression hold you hostage, it will do a number on you- physically, mentally and spiritually! I've had several family members that have battled with depression, my late Mother being one of them, and seeing first hand to what it does to a person really takes it out of you to witness another human being suffer without getting help. Seek help, because you're not the only one going through it.
Depression is a thing, there is no rhyme or reason for it (usually) and there's no "just get over it". People with depression need help and it's amazing when people around you are so incredibly helpful and nice. It doesn't "fix" a depression, but it reminds you that your life isn't only miserable, there's good moments too..
I believe we are put here on this earth to be kind and to help each other, to love one another...even strangers. May God truly bless this stylist, I know he will.
Depression drains the life out of you. Overcoming it may require fixing imperfections that brings you down. Well done Ms. Olsson, you just saved a precious God given life.
Both. It feels good that someone cared enough to do what was necessary to help that child and not what was easiest and also shows that the child does need help.
As someone who suffers from depression frequently this article almost made me cry. For once it was not because the world is cruel but because this stylist took the time and made the effort to help this girl feel beautiful again. If you have never suffered from depression you probably will not understand why this is such a big deal, but to this girl it meant everything. So thank you for helping her.
Sometimes a depressed teen doesnt want the parents to force her to clean or groom herself. A lack of self-care - especially haircare - is a sign of compromised mental health. Thank you to the understanding hairdresser. X
the hair dresser who fixed the girls hair should be applauded. she mentioned mental illness being a real thing, i can really relate, because i have a son in his 30,s who struggles with mental illness , and for me it is an everyday battle. his hair is also the same exact way, and i have struggled to help him with it, it is also matted, along side his mental illness, he also struggles with an addiction, is violent at times and out of touch with reality. my heart sunk when someone blamed the parents, for the daughters issues, my son has struggled with his issues for many years, and in all those years as well people have pointed fingers, from every direction. but i would like to say some things in life are not understood until you are right smack dab in the middle of the situation your self, in other words , do not judge unless you have walked a mile in my shoes. and i wish the girl a happy life.
Please do not blame the parents , nor anyone else about the girl's depression. The parents were probably suffering, too. Often it is an impulse from the outside world that improves things. A big thank you to the hair stylist!
Good job hair stylist! You were a hero to this young girl. My daughter and son have struggled with depression and anxiety- I have seen my sons hair become as matted as could be but he would not allow me to go through it, when he did it was a nightmare to finally get it perfect, only to have him let it get matted again- he finally graduated high school and cut his hair- but I remember the heartache of silently untangling an impossible pile of hair. You are awesome, thank you and I hope the young girl gets some help so it doesn't happen again.
im a stroke survivor as i am also living with Severe Anxiety disorder that 2 winters ago it got so bad I was in the ER 5 out of 7 days for quite a few months. I am a 50 yr old grandmother ands mother of 4 (each). Something Ive been telling people for years, :we are not only parents of our own children, but of every child. Who says we should give up mothering simply because we are not their parent. To Hair dresser~ Thank you for taking the tim e to show another womans child how it feels to be loved. I only pray that if my children are ever in need (or my GC) that you are there to be Mom or GMom stand in for me. And I yours as well!!!
I'm a stylist. Stories similar to these happen all the time. I've spent hours transforming someone and the delight on their face makes it so worth it.
The article makes you smile, and the comments bring you back to reality. Modern times.
People who blame parents clearly never had a depressed teen. Shame on you for shaming parents. Compassion please...for all.
I know a gorl who is 24 yrs old and she has some kinda problem that she does not get out of her bed from more than a year . She does not comb her hair too her hair are all tangled lyk dis girls' were..... i think she is also depressed
Your friendship will be very valuable to her if that is something you can do.
Load More Replies... Thanks to the stylist who helped this young lady- I'm hoping that the depression is treated further than appearance- she needs further help
I just want to point out that I suffer from major depressive disorder and some of this is hereditary. Before you go bashing her parents they may need help themselves. Many people that have depression are in denial especially when people who don't understand it are telling them to get over it, or it's all in your head. I watched my mama cry because she had to get all her hair cut off too. When one sick person is taking care of another it doesn't usually work out. Please pray for the family.
I understand how she feels... ive cut all my hair off for the same reason she was wanting too. It was such a mess... i feel like a worthless waste of life.
She unfortunately will need more help than just the one day though. I can not understand whoever is supposedly looking after her, they are failing badly and so are ALL family members
My daughter suffers from depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia. The shop she had gone to for 7 yrs messed up her appointment. I had called completely coincidentally and found my daughter was supposed to be there at that moment. My daughter was there within 5/10 minutes and i was there shortly after. Knowing my daughter's history and having already consulted and known what she was there for and having been the only hairdresser to color my daughter's hair in 7 yrs you'd think no problem... WRONG... the stylist was rude, my daughter pleaded with her as she had a special event that night. So with the bitchiest of attitudes she took my daughter and changed her color from platinum blonde to dark chestnut brown. I was shocked... beyond unprofessional, beyond cruel, beyond evil. 6 months later, we've slowly been getting her hair lighter again at a cost so far well over 1,000.00 she's had to cut at least 7 inches of her hair and will rarely leave the house crying most days.
This kind of generosity is hard to find nowadays......a big thanks to the stylist for this great effort for the girl this maybe had saved her life...it was nice to find people who are really caring and lovely...god bless the stylist...you brought her confidence back and made her love herself..😊😊
This was the best thing the stylist could do....a great effort....it brought confidence in her and maybe saved her life....a big thanks to the stylist to be so lovely and caring, such generosity is hard to find nowadays...
For those who are chiding the parents: Have you ever thought that the parents may also be in state of depression? Unless I missed something, I saw nothing in the story that would make me condemn them. A single parent struggling to cope with her own problems? If you're so damned smart that you know for a fact her parents are abusing her, you alert the authorities.
It’s both a cry for help and an amazing humanitarian. The stylist is amazing!
The stylist is indeed an angel. I suffer from depression and my haiir, which was half-way down my back ended up the same way. I wanted desperately to have it repaired but I ended up having to cut it off. Not only did the stylist fix her hair, she helped this young lady feel worth it and valuable.
Wonderful story! I'm so glad the girl walked into THAT salon! It's nice to know good people are still around ❤❤ As for people blaming parents it's possible that she was able to hide her symptoms until they got to that point. Depressed people get very good at lieing about being okay and hiding under clothing/hats/excuses. I hid my self harm from everyone until one cut got infected and my GP put it together. Some parents just don't know what to do or how to help support their child even if they do see the problem, some times all they can do is try to make sure the child is eating. Sadly others (like my mother) will blame hormones or lazieness or even activiely try to make things worse. It's hard to know for sure which situation this girl and her parents where/are in.
Severe depression is about how one feels about him/her self. If someone feels worthless, their friends and family can try to "jolly them up"...it won't work while the person feels worthless. When I am depressed, I simply don't care enough about myself to bother with hygiene (self care), clean clothes, eating....only a person with some amount of self respect does those things. What the girl did for herself, was show up at that salon. What the hairdresser did, was not treat the girl like a regular customer. She took special interest in the girl, and showed her that she was WORTH extra time, and effort. Strangers sonetimes have a bigger impact than family, because they aren't obligated to put forth extra effort.
Has anyone ever had gum stuck in their hair and tried getting it out? It freaking hurts! Brushing those matts out is abuse!
Where were her parents? Sure they could have taken her for help or call someone who knew what was going on. Helping her to bathe and wash and comb her hair would have been a pleasure. The dandruff alone was horrid and suggested she had a bad problem. No girl of that age would let her hair go like that. The girl still needs to seek professional mental help. The hairstyle is simply a stop gap. WAKE UP PARENTS, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, FRIENDS...
that poor kid. im not sure how it was at home, but yhis child should NEVER have been so neglected. And yes. I know what depression is, how it feels. That one probably needed a good anti depressant and professional help. I hope she is getting both now and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Depression is something that comes and goes. I sincerely hope she has a good support system now. Big big hugs to this little lady.
It would be nice if they became friends as there's only 4 years between them. The hairdresser is the type of friend most people need
Not knowing the entire story, I think people need to see it from all sides before calling the parent(s) bad. They could have been trying for days or weeks to help her, by brushing her hair, washing her hair, taking her to a doctor, etc... but she's a 16 year old. You can't just pick them up and haul them to the shower or doctor. And maybe theyve tried but she would scream or cry or hit to be left alone. Depression is still a taboo subject, example being those that called her parents horrible instead of trying to understand what a parent with a depressed child goes through, especially in a time when we don't talk enough about how to handle a depressed child. Maybe this girl drove herself to the salon to say screw it, cut my hair, or maybe her mom offered to take her to the salon to do something nice and she accepted, but then alone with the hair stylist told her to just get rid of her hair.
This poor girl needs a counselor and antidepressants, and all our prayers.
So, after her hair was .... uh ..... normalized, she felt that she was worthy of living? What does that say about our values as a society?
The reality is that she has probably been bullied. She has probably been told she is worthless by her peers. Kids these days are so mean and from what I have seen, their parents just protect them from consequences and blame the victims for the issue. I'm more upset with parents who think their kids can do no wrong all the while they are inflicting so much pain and hate on others.
How wonderful for the hairstylist to help with what she could. And how horrible for people to blame the parents. We don't know what's going on with the family. We don't know how the girl even got to the salon. Maybe her parents took her hoping that it would lead to a fresh start. Maybe they're suffering from mental health problems as well. My mom, dad, little brother, youngest sister, and I all have clinical depression. When there are multiple people in a household with a problem like this it can get overwhelming.
omg the stylist is so kind and empathetic and inspirational, I want 2 b as nice and kind as her when I grow up
WE MUST STOP JUDGING, CRITISIZING, PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ENCOURAGING UPLIFTING TO SAY. YOUR WORD CAN BE LIFE OR DEATH. SINCE YOU DON'T KNOW THE PARENTS OF THIS CHILD REFRAIN SELF!!!!
Love the hairstylist who did this! What a beautiful story. However, those who blame the parents have no clue what they're talking about. Unless you have parented a teen with depression, you can't possibly understand the fear and sense of helplessness. And being blamed, or God forbid having someone call child protective services, only makes the situation far worse. Stop judging her poor parents! I'm sure they did all they could.
When you factor in the stylist was only 4 years older than the girl with the matted hair, it speaks to the stylist's level of maturity, compassion and resolve to make her client's life better. This may seem like a cosmetic adjustment to some but I'm confident the young client's entire outlook changed once her hair was restored - and it's freaking gorgeous, too! I hope she gets help and things continue to look up for her. As for the stylist, well done. <3
People need to stop banging the parents. Y'all don't know what the parents have done. It's hard to try to support a depressed person.
She did it and she had a wonderful help!!! She turned out to be beautiful and hope she starts this journey as a beginning of happiness
Load More Replies... When I went through one of my depression episodes I finally caved in and called my parents. I told them about it (they live overseas and I was alone during college, a completely different setup in our culture) and they were shocked. My father in particular was in disbelief. Depression is non existent where I live (Philippines). People treat it as something that "will be gone in a day or two". They will look at you like an outcast, a mental patient. Once you utter the word and asked for help you will feel shamed. That is why, I feel happy that not all people are like that (it is perhaps because we are mainly a religious Catholic country). It makes me have faith in humanity again. That someone out there will understand.
This stylist needs some kind of award! Most would have saved themselves tne trouble and just shaved her head thankyou to the lady who did this! You are an amazing person!
What a thoughtful and kind thing to do for someone who is obviously going through a very rough time! Perhaps some people who commented so harshly about her family should consider that they may be doing everything they can for her and may, in fact, have helped her to take the very BRAVE step she was taking. Depression is such an ugly illness, it creeps up and just wrangles your life away, and no one even realizes it's happening.
Well done! Small things like this do make EVERYONE'S life more worth living. This young lady will not overcome her depressions without serious, medical help though.
The pain and suffering is not only felt by the person depressed, those around them, their family etc. The fact that this lady was able to get to a hairdresser, have the money to do so, was STILL IN SCHOOL are all testaments to the parenting she is receiving. Teenagers are hell on wheels without depression, if parents ask them to do anything its usually met with some kind of negative, if it is not the want of the teen (not all) its puberty, raging hormones whatever. There are also kids that are just having s****y days, lives etc, depression is that by a bazillion. Imagine how hard it would be to watch your child be completely changed by something you cannot see. It is one thing to know life is hard as an adult, but to see a child, your child OF ANY AGE be so broken by the world they live in, you are helpless. Many blame themselves, but they don't know what they are fighting, often depression is not a thing, it is not physical in form, it is not the school bully taking your lunch money.
can we stop playin the blame game & realize there should b more people willing 2 help n a situation like this? god bless u 4 the simple act of beauty & kinsness u poured out on the world! i would love 2 have a friend like u & a few dozen more. don't get me wrong, i agree sum1 should've been paying attention. i just think its sad the way human nature tends 2 always thinks about the negative 1st & misses the gift of simple goodness right n front of them
Beautiful achievement and well done to both the stylist and girl.Flawless results and confidence sky rockets.
Feel good story And a sign of a child still in need of help. The child will still need support and love and patience and constant motivation to keep her willingness to smile.
I hope the stylist Thanked the young girl for letting her do it .She must have felt like a million ,when it was done.
yes, parents/guardians are responsible for her well being- but it's possible that they are suffering too- this entire family needs help!
I sometimes think that teens get into this point into the depression because parents classify everything as "a phase" . This kind of weight can get carried into adulthood and noone really helps them. The lady did a really nice thing, but that teen needs a lot more help right now.
Does everyone here really think a haircut it going to solve this poor girls problems?? Yes, it's a start, but she needs serious help from a professional....and not a hair professional.
I would think that the fact she even went to a hairdresser means she is improving already.
Load More Replies... The stylist is just such a wonderful soul <3 The parents in the other hand...
Oh, I didn't know you were friends with the girl and her family... please tell us more, oh wise one.
Load More Replies... Great effort from her hairdresser. Her parents need to do the same. That little girl is going to feel better for a couple weeks and then be right back down in the hole again. I speak from experience. Depression management is a daily chore. However, people don't need to suffer from depression anymore. There is an herbal fix for that now. I know it's a world of fraud out there and people are skeptical, but this is not one of them. It really works. I've been on it for 2 years, and it's helped so many people. It's even helped people get off of drugs like Adderall, which are killing them. Order a sample and try it for yourself. https://theinterstellarplan.com/product/trinity/?wpam_id=65
When I went through a depressive episode as a teen, my mother was going through one as well, and much more severely so, and my father has paranoid schizofrenia, so he wasn't really in the picture by that time. My situation was picked up by my school and so I had help, but not everyone is able to get help or to accept it. It's easy to say: why didn't the parents do anything? But you don't know what this family went through. You don't even know if she has any parents. You don't know her or them at all. So keep your judgment to yourself.
Ok so the god damn teen is too lazy to take care of herself so someone else has to do it?
Oh my god it’s almost as if... she was so depressed that she only saw her worthlessness and that’s caused her to stop doing what she would usually do which includes brushing her hair. Please stop being a judge mental bitch and try to understand what this poor girl was going through at the time
Load More Replies... To be honest, I don't really think this is all that faith restoring...this hairdresser saved this girl some length, but could have easily given her a short Bob cut or other super chic short cut. And so she saved her life!? I'm not so sure, and this matted mess will be back again sooner than you think if the girl doesn't get real help (talk therapy,etc). To be actually helpful why not give the girl a cut or style that would look good within seconds of rolling out of bed. Her self worth should not be based upon her physically long hair, and if it is they the hair dressers should just separated the matted hair into individual dreadlocks. Problem solved with a long term solution, without all this pandering and praise for some supperficial feel good mainstream media story...
You dont know how depression works. First you cant feel like you can do anything. More things happen and it gets to the point of suicide...
Load More Replies... How hard was it for her parents to just sit behind her once a day and brush out her hair? If your kid is this depressed, why are you not helping? Brushing your child's hair is such a simple thing to do.
Her parents might have tried many times to brush her hair. Depression sometimes presents as anger in teenagers. She might not have let them brush her hair.
Load More Replies... I'm assuming the parents were witnessing their daughters hair go through all of this and her getting more depressed but they clearly didn't do anything? What kind of parents those? Kudos to the hairdresser for doing something (she did a BEAUTIFUL job) but it wouldn't have gotten this far if the parents paid attention to what was happening to their daughter.
You are just assuming that did nothing. You cannot force someone to get better on your terms.
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