Barbers to be taught how to spot signs of suicidal thoughts

New initiative from Public Health IOM hopes to get men to speak openly

Twenty barbers on the Isle of Man are to be trained to help spot the warning signs of clients who may have suicidal thoughts.

The new community initiative is part of the wider Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Public Health Isle of Man says 'men are often less likely to speak about their emotions, but the relaxed atmosphere in a barber shop has been known to encourage customers to talk more openly'.

A similar scheme in the UK has been running for a number of years, reaching 3,500 barbers across the country.

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