Talking Heads initiative offering barbers suicide prevention training

A Dublin campaign is encouraging local barbers to complete online suicide prevention training and to signpost their clients to appropriate mental health supports.

Talking Heads is a collaboration between Fingal County Council, HSE and CYPSC (Fingal and Dublin North City), which is focused on reducing the stigma around suicide. Barbers can sign up to the free Let’s Talk About Suicide online programme, which aims to help them recognise signs of distress, start supportive conversations, listen well and connect clients with the help they need.

“We know that small conversations can make a big difference, and by encouraging barbers to complete the free Let’s Talk About Suicide training, Talking Heads equips them with the confidence to recognise when someone might be at risk and to connect them with the right supports,” said John Duffy, HSE resource officer for suicide prevention.

“This initiative shows how community spaces, like barbershops, can play a vital role in suicide prevention.” 

Healthy Fingal coordinator Niall McGuirk added: “Talking Heads is about empowering communities to look out for one another. We know barbers build strong bonds with their clients, and this initiative gives them practical tools to support someone in distress. It’s a simple but powerful way to make a real difference in suicide p