Barbers for Life program nominated for Men's Health Awards

Published on 28 June 2022

A Launceston-based mental health first aid project has been shortlisted in the Australian Men's Health Forum's 2022 Men's Health Awards.

The Barbers for Life project — which has equipped local barbers and community members with mental health first aid training delivered by trainer Jonathan Bedloe — is an initiative of the City of Launceston and the Launceston Suicide Prevention Trial.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the Barbers for Life project sought to leverage the relationships barbers built with their clients to encourage communication around mental health.

"Barbers are uniquely placed in the community because of the regular and ongoing relationships they establish with clients," Mayor van Zetten said.

"We see this particularly with men in the 40-64 year age category, which is a key a cohort for the Launceston Suicide Prevention Program."

Launceston Suicide Prevention coordinator Stephanie Armour said the Barbers for Life program had been inspired by a similar program developed by Hobart barber Sidney Davies.

"For many people, visiting the barber or hairdresser is a regular point of contact," Ms Armour said.

"It creates an opportunity for clients to have conversations with their barber about what's going on in their lives and what challenges they're facing.

"By equipping barbers with mental health first aid training, we're empowering them to ask how people are doing and to better respond to people who may be going through a challenging time."

Award winners will be announced in July, and members of the public can vote on the shortlisted projects at the Australian Men's Health Forum website.