It’s their friendly touch and kind “how are you” that can make hairdressers and barbers an easy outlet for life’s woes.
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But the pseudo-counsellors say they don’t know how to help some clients, who might want to take their lives.
That’s why the Wagga Wagga and Region Suicide Prevention Network decided to run a safeTALK for the city’s stylists this month.
Gurwood Street hairdresser Linda Tubuna said for 30 years, clients had shared their burdens and sometimes, when they left, she would wonder if they were going to be okay.
“What they say here is confidential. We’re like priests,” Linda said. “We need to know what to look for.”
She said the training sessions would give her and other professionals the tools to recognise warning signs for suicide, the skills to speak and the knowledge to direct clients to further support.
Ms Tubuna is one of more than 25 professionals who will be attending the 6.30pm workshop on Wednesday, July 26, at Piercy Place Conference. Hairdressers and barbers can visit stickytickets.com.au/53610 to register.