Suicide prevention efforts already happening

BarberTalk Live Training Session

BarberTalk, founded by Tom Chapman, provides tailored mental health and suicide prevention training for barbers.

72 percent of people who die by suicide had no contact with mental health services in the year prior to their death; however, it is likely they did have a haircut.

Barbers who frequently interact with clients can play a crucial role in early intervention.

In 2024, Havering Public Health received NEL ICB Inequalities Funding to commission a BarberTalk Live session for local barbers.

Six barbers were trained, and evaluation results showed increased confidence in recognising the signs of poor mental health, asking direct questions, listening actively and with empathy and signposting clients to appropriate resources.

Participants reported applying the training regularly, highlighting its impact on both clients and their own personal networks.

“I really enjoyed the training, to be able to recognise changes in not only clients but also family and friends has become a valuable life skill that in this day and age is vital. 

“If clients reach out to me with issues, I can show them in a direction that will help them get the support they need.

Just being able to talk to your barber and have them listen to your concerns can ease many mental stresses.

“This is a great responsibility for us and the training certainly helped me improve with not only my ability to listen to my clients but also to look for signs that they might be suffering with mental health issues.

“I wholeheartedly recommend the training and support their mission.”

Charlie, Barber, Harold Wood

HereToTalk Live Training Session

In 2025, Havering Public Health received additional NEL ICB Inequalities Funding to commission a HereToTalk Live session, also provided by Tom Chapman, which delivers mental health and suicide prevention training for client-facing professionals.

The training, taking place in Havering Town Hall, includes pub staff, betting shop staff, tattoo artists, hairdresser and personal trainers.

While still prioritising male-dominated spaces, the initiative is open to all. 

2024 World Suicide Prevention Day

On 10 September 2024, Havering Public Health hosted both an in-person session and online Teams webinar for World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).

The event targeted Havering Council’s front line workers, along with the Havering Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Group, with 85+ participants.

The session featured a:

  • fireside chat with a lived experience expert and mental health advocate
  • presentation on risk factors, inequalities, data, language and increasing knowledge to recognise signs of mental distress, ask appropriate questions, listen effectively, help individuals to appropriate services
  • breakout session focusing on integrating suicide prevention efforts across Havering

Havering Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2024

The Havering Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2024 provides a statistical analysis of local suicides, outlines protocols for handling suspected cases and documents responses to specific incidents.

Additionally, it details Havering’s role in the North East London Suicide Cluster Response Plan and presents recommendations for 2025.

For a copy of the Havering Suicide Prevention Annual Report, please email publichealth@havering.gov.uk.