Launceston barbershop cuts mental health stigma with in-chair support

A barber shop is a place where you traditionally get a haircut or a beard trim, but now clients can get some mental health advice as well.

The Barbers for Life project in Launceston, in northern Tasmania, has equipped local barbers with mental health first aid training.

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Barbers have undertaken a two-day training course, with the aim of supporting clients who are doing it tough.

Launceston barber Alex Toscan said five barbers at his business Kingsway Barbershop have taken part in the initiative.

“We see ourselves as a bit on the forefront in the mental health battle,” he said.

“We learnt how to assess people that might be having some issues and then how to appropriately guide them towards some resources and give them some advice that they can use to help them.

“[We’re] pointing them in the right direction. We’re obviously not counsellors or therapists.

The business also makes available pamphlets for customers, which list available resources.

Place for a trim and talk

Barbers are uniquely positioned to provide mental health support, and the program attempts to make the most of the relationships fostered with their clients. 

“We build up a bit of a rapport. That gives us an advantage,” Mr Toscan said.

Mr Toscan decided to get involved in the program after a number of client suicides.

“Three or four years ago, I think, five of my personal clients committed suicide in one year,” he said. 

“That was something that was pretty hard-hitting and we thought, ‘maybe there’s something that we can do to help’.”

The Launceston-based mental health first aid project has been short-listed in the Australian Men’s Health Forum’s 2022 Men’s Health Awards.

The initiative is part of the Launceston Suicide Prevention Trial.

Launceston Suicide Prevention coordinator Stephanie Armour said the idea came from a barber shop in Hobart.

“We realised the barbers are uniquely placed to connect with their customers, and see things and hear a lot of stories,” she said.

“They were aware that it was a space that they were very much immersed in but not necessarily having the skills or knowledge to support clients.”

She hopes other barbershops in Launceston take up the training course.

Taxis could be next cab off the rank

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten is urging other sectors to get involved.

“It would be great for other areas,” he said.

“It could be taxi drivers, anywhere where people have a continual contact with people, see them regularly.

“It’s great to recognise and know what the signs are so that we can all be informed.

“The more that we can be equipped and prepared is better for everyone.”

The project has secured another year of funding through the federal government.