It takes a very dedicated stylist to spend over two days working on someone’s hair. But when Kayley Olsson saw the client she was dealing with, she knew it was a wonderful way to give back.
When a severely depressed 16-year-old girl came in asking for all of her matted hair to be chopped off, Olsson didn’t follow instructions. She knew there beauty under the unkempt hair and determined to restore it to it’s rightful owner.
After 2 days and 13 hours, she was able to transform what looked like a lost cause of tangles and knots into shiny, beautiful curls. Though she kept the girl’s identity private, Olsson shared the photos of the transformation on social media — and they immediately went viral. Olsson shared:
“I had a 16 year girl come in with who has been dealing with severe depression for a few years now. She got to the point where she felt so down and so worthless she couldn’t even brush her hair, she told me she only got up to use the restroom. She starts back at school in a few weeks but she has her school pictures today. When she walked in she told us just cut it all off I can’t deal with the pain of combing it out, she called herself worthless for it. It honestly broke my heart and we tried everything we could to keep this child’s hair for her!
At the end of the day I want this to be a lesson to people. MENTAL HEALTH is a thing, it effects people all around the world and of all ages! PARENTS take it serious don’t just push your kids off and tell them to get over something they legitimately can’t. A CHILD should NEVER feel so worthless to not even want to brush their hair.”
Everyone from Cosmpolitan magazine to Ashton Kutcher has caught wind of Olsson’s good deed — and all can’t stop themselves from sharing her kindness.
Depression can take many forms, and losing your sense of self or care for your own body is one of them. Though Olsson was only 20 years old herself, she recognized what a difference she could make in this teenager’s life. It’s incredible what your appearance can do for your self-esteem, but when suffering from depression or other mental illness, it takes others to bring it out in you.
After her hair was finished, the client told her stylist: “I will actually smile for my schools pictures today, you made me feel like me again”