In the heart of Spokane, where clippers hum and conversations flow, Jay Trout’s barbershop has become more than a grooming space – it’s a sanctuary. A space of healing. A cultural cornerstone for Black and Brown men navigating life’s hardest moments. Jay became a Washington state Peer counselor and helped answer the call to the lack of mental health support.
For Perry Martinez, the barbershop wasn’t just about a fresh cut. It was a lifeline. Diagnosed recently with stage four colon cancer, Perry turned to a familiar place – not just for a haircut, but for strength.
“I told my wife, ‘I don’t want to look how I feel,’” he shared. “So I went to see Jay. No appointment, no heads-up. He just knew something was off. We sat for four hours during a 45-minute cut, and we talked about life, legacy, and faith. He reminded me how to think positively – something I didn’t even realize I had lost.”
Jay’s shop is that rare space where vulnerability meets trust. “When somebody you know and trust challenges your mindset, it can shift everything,” Perry reflected. “Jay gave me more than a cut – he gave me the courage to face my future.”
Jay Trout never set out to be a mental health advocate – he just wanted to cut hair and contribute to his community. But what grew from that dream is something much deeper. “I didn’t realize the kind of impact I’d have,” Jay says. “I just wanted to do what I love. But these guys – they’re not just customers, they’re my friends. They come in, they stay, they talk, and we build something real.”
Peer support, especially among men of color, is often overlooked in traditional mental health models. Perry, with his background in counseling and parole, knows the system well. “You can’t teach empathy from a textbook,” he says. “People want someone who’s been there. Someone who sees them.”
And that’s exactly what Jay’s barbershop offers: authentic connection. A space where pain can be shared, joys celebrated, and cultural identity affirmed.
Jay’s interest in becoming a formal peer support specialist grew naturally from his lived experience. “I always knew I’d be in the community, but I didn’t know how much the community would be in here,” he says. “We talk about everything – race, life, grief, fatherhood – and we don’t apologize for it.”
Even those who’ve moved away still return – not just for a cut, but to reconnect with a man who has quietly become a mentor, counselor, and brother.
As Spokane continues to grapple with how to support mental health, especially in communities of color, Jay Trout’s barbershop stands as a model – a place where the clippers may be sharp, but the real power is in the conversation. Jay is a part of the Barber’s and Beautician’s project, led by The Northwest Credible Messenger through the HUB located in Spokane, Washington and The Shades of Motherhood Network. To learn more about how Washington State is building mental health support in the community, explore the House Bill HB 1427 (Certified Peer Support Specialists).
Classic Cuts, West is located at 327 W. Third Ave., Suite B, Spokane, WA 99201.