Barbers train to talk to men about mental health

Barbers in a Wiltshire town will be trained to talk to customers about their wellbeing in a bid to improve men's mental health.

Swindon Borough Council is asking barbers and men's hairdressers to sign up to its scheme.

It will then provide basic training in how to talk to clients about their mental health as well as information on where they can get more support.

"We recognise the unique and trusting relationships barbers often build with their customers," said Lydia Jordan, a public health practitioner at the council. "This initiative aims to transform those spaces into safe and supportive environment."

She added it will help men and boys "feel comfortable opening up about their emotional wellbeing" while getting their haircut.

Danny Hegarty, who owns Supreme Barbers in Swindon, has signed himself and his three colleagues up for the training.

"Men's mental health is such a massive thing," he said.

"Even now sometimes men do speak openly to us about their lives, home or work or family while we're cutting their hair."

He said he wants customers to trust him and his team with their emotions, as well as their haircuts.

"I really feel that a barbershop should be somewhere men can come, and it can be a safe place where they are comfortable talking to people," he added.

The training will be delivered by the council's public health team and partners at Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind and Papyrus UK, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Ms Jordan said the scheme would have a significant positive impact in the town, with only a short training session required for those who sign up.

"The training won't be onerous or take much time – it will just equip barbers to recognise how to speak about mental health, the right language to use and how to point their customers to more support," she said.

There will also be stickers on barbershop mirrors with a QR code that will take people to a website with more information.

Ms Jordan added: "The goal is to break down the stigma surrounding boys' and men's mental health."

Danny Hegarty, who owns Supreme Barbers in Swindon, has signed himself and his three colleagues up for the training.

"Men's mental health is such a massive thing," he said.

"Even now sometimes men do not speak openly to us about their lives, home or work or family while we're cutting their hair."

He said he wants customers to trust him and his team with their emotions, as well as their haircuts.

"I really feel that a barbershop should be somewhere men can come, and it can be a safe place where they are comfortable talking to people," he added.

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