Sam Pearce launches mental wellbeing qualification for the beauty industry

Sam Pearce, founder of the PB Award-winning Potting Shed Spa, is launching an accredited qualification for the beauty industry focused on safeguarding therapists' mental wellbeing. 

Announcing the news on World Mental Health Day (October 10), Pearce says the Low Ears course will provide salon and spa owners with the support they need to cope when suffering with mental health issues, as well as helping business owners identify the signs of burnout in their employees before it’s too late. 

The qualification will cover mental health terminology – especially unravelling some of the jargon, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practice, mindfulness tips and nutritional advice, and will give people access to an online counselling service. The training is done face-to-face and there is a two-day and three-day option. 

The initiative will also ensure there are regular “check-ins” – mental health MOTs to make sure that salon owners are doing OK. 

“In the beauty industry, working unrealistic hours is now the norm, with little or no regard for our own mental health and wellbeing,” Pearce exclusively told Professional Beauty. 

“Running on empty and dealing with financial pressures and competitors opening up threatening your livelihood, this creates the perfect storm for mental health diseases.”  

Pearce came up with the idea for the qualification and the “Low Ears” campaign name after going through a challenging incident that not only threatened the future of her business but also had a big impact on her mental health.

“I couldn’t explain to anyone how I was feeling. The only comparison I could give was my dachshund puppy who, when confused, unhappy or sad, would show me she wasn’t OK by hanging her ears low because she couldn’t vocalise it,” added Pearce. “Sometimes things are just too hard to explain, whereas a symbol or sign can be enough.”

The course costs £200+VAT . Head to the Potting Shed Spa website and click on the industry tab on the homepage to register your interest, 

Pearce has also launched a training course which teaches salon owners how to incorporate CBD oil into beauty treatments authentically.