Barbers in the Isle of Man are to receive training to help spot the warning signs of clients who may have thoughts of suicide.
BarberTalk suicide prevention training is part of the Island’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and the scheme launches in early October.
It is understood that while men are less likely to speak about their emotions, the relaxed atmosphere in barber shops often encourages customers to talk more openly.
Barber Talk
BarberTalk is being launched by Public Health Isle of Man and will be delivered by BarberTalk UK, which is dedicated to raising suicide-prevention awareness, particularly among men.
In the UK 3,500 barber shops have participated in the BarberTalk programme.
Local barbers, and trainee barbers at University College Isle of Man, will be trained on how to recognise the signs that a client is struggling, to ask the right questions, listen well, and to direct them towards support.
More details can be found here.
7 Comments