Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the country. In 2017 there were approximately 5,821 registered deaths by suicide in the United Kingdom, equating to an average of 16 suicides per day in the country. Globally someone dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
In a personal, moving talk he tells us about the international movement he founded building on the unique relationship between barbers and their clients to prevent suicide and save lives.
Tom Chapman is a Torquay-based barber who has made it his mission to propel the stigma of mental ill health among men into the mainstream. In 2015 founded the Lions Barber Collective, an international group of barbers who have undergone training in how to recognise symptoms of mental ill health in clients and signpost them to relevant support services. The group helps to raise awareness of mental illness and aims to prevent suicide by creating training that enables barbers to recognise, talk and listen out for symptoms of depression.
As barbers we are in a unique position to help our clients, through the trust and bond we build with them. An incredibly strong relationship where clients become friends and can share aspect of their lives with us, then walk out the shop and leave it behind knowing it goes no further because of client confidentiality and the fact we are often not in their social circle.
There are a number of ways you can support the Lions, by becoming a Lion’s barber yourself, coming to our support rotaries, donating or fundraising with us. Click the link below to find out more about what we do and how you can get involved. Here is some statistics of how we are working to end the stigma around men’s mental health.
Charity no. 1176363
Website: http://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com
Email: info@thelionsbarbercollective.com
Public address: Flat 6, 3 Lisburne Crescent, Higher Woodfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 2LA
Aims & activities: To raise awareness for mental well being and suicide prevention. Encouraging barbers to create a safe place for men to open up and offload and being able to signpost to already existing charities and organisations
What the charity does: Education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives
How the charity works: Provides services, Provides advocacy/advice/information
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