Bexley Barbershop Project
Mind in Bexley’s Barbershop Project is working with barbers in Belvedere, Welling, Crayford, Sidcup and across Bexley to help them spot signs of anxiety in customers.
Funded by Bexley Council’s Public Health Team, the project will train barbers to become Mind in Bexley Ambassadors and identify signs of depression, be non-judgemental listeners and effective at signposting.
Men are statistically more likely to discuss mental health issues with their barber than with their GP. This places barbers in a unique position to be able to help men battle anxiety and depression.
Mind in Bexley will recruit and support barbers as well as supporting clients referred to the organisation through the process.
Research by a barber collective in the West Country has shown that more than half of men surveyed say they feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues with their barbers than their doctors.
Barbers have a high follow-up rate with hairdressing clients – usually every four weeks they visit for another cut – providing opportunities to spot changes in mood or extremes such as too much sleep or not enough sleep, losing weight or gaining weight.
The project’s training will help barbers to recognise these signs and to ask clients how they are feeling, listen in a non-judgemental manner and be briefed where to signpost. Clients identified as in need are given an information leaflet with details of Mind in Bexley support plus other providers.
Bexley barbers wanting to join the project should email andrewburke@mindinbexley.org.uk
Individuals aiming to fundraise for Mind in Bexley to help expand the project should email simondolby@mindinbexley.org.uk
The Bexley Barbershop Project is supported by Bexley Council.