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The Lions Barber Collective

During Men’s Health Week, The Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership are supporting The Lions Barber Collective in their mission to create a world free from suicide. The globally renowned charity comes to Oxfordshire at a time when we are adapting to a ‘new normal’.

We’re working with Oxford County Council and other partners across Oxfordshire to promote and raise awareness of The Lions Barber Collective mission, training and resources to help start the conversation with men and local barber/hairdressing businesses: BarberTalk lite, The £1.7M Haircut film about suicide and TEDx Talk

‘The £1.7 Million Haircut’

The Lions Barber Collective recently released its first documentary ‘The £1.7 Million Haircut’ on Amazon Prime and Vimeo, recounting the story of a life lost to suicide. It follows Tom’s ambition to create safe spaces for men to talk and the stark reality the impact suicide has on communities, healthcare services and the economy. See below for links to watch the documentary.

Tom Chapman’s TEDx Talk

After losing a friend to suicide, Tom Chapman decided to do something about the biggest killer of young men in the UK. 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. Watch Tom’s TEDx talk below.

BarberTalk Lite

BarberTalk Lite online course is free and gives barbers the opportunity to learn skills in their current downtime, to support their clients when they return to work. The demands that could be put on barbers for emotional support when their doors are open, could be significant. By taking the training, barbers are also supporting their own mental wellbeing and contribute to the emotional resilience that they’re likely to need when they are back behind the chair.