Everyone feels refreshed after washing their hair, but for some blokes, it’s a life-saving activity

The moment you walk into Miguel Krzywodzinski’s barbershop, you notice the room filling up.

It is a safe haven for fashion conscious men who are not only looking for a new cut but also for conversation.

“Barbarism is probably the last place where two people, especially men, can be sane and talk to each other as complete strangers,” Mr. Krzyszczynski said.

“I feel like the space and the idea of ​​talking, especially in the men’s mental health space, it’s really there now.”

Mr Krzyodzinski has been in the industry for 13 years and runs two barbershops in Rockhampton, Central Queensland.

He believes that barber chair conversations help break down mental health barriers.

“We get people doing well, like their weddings [or] Their birthdays, and then we take people on other occasions, like for a funeral or they’re sick and they just need a visit,” he said.

“Having this complete random stranger that they can just hang out with for half an hour, you can really see them holding themselves in their seat.

‘Good for your honor’

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 43 per cent of Australian men have experienced a mental health problem in their lifetime.

Business partners Chris Bennett and Jordan Meehan are two of them.

They now run a men’s group in regional Queensland, Walk n Talk, which helps men improve their relationships and mental health.

Mr. Bennett said a trip to the barber shop provides physical and emotional benefits for men.

“When you get a haircut you feel fresh, you feel good about yourself, it’s good for your self-esteem,” he said.

“It doesn’t always have to be in a bar, just hanging out with friends is such a great form of mental health that many people feel is underutilized.”

Community decline in the park

On average, men commit seven out of nine suicides every day in Australia and mental health is the leading cause of death in men aged 15 to 44.

For many men, getting short, back, and sides provides space for free discussion without judgment or criticism.

“When we had our struggles, leaning on our friends is what really got us through the tough times,” Mr Meehan said.

The Walk ‘n’ Take group hosts regular weekend catch-ups for men, including free haircuts in the park.

“A lot of men who are struggling, they don’t necessarily want to talk to a doctor,” Mr Meehan said.

“They can share their stories or their struggles or even their successes… It should always be negative.”

Old school values

According to third-generation barber Steve Bates, there’s an unspoken rule in barbershops.

Mr Bates, who is based in the small rural town of Bellevue in central Queensland, said the essential thing barbershops provide is trust.

“In the barbering trade, which is a traditional, old-fashioned sect like mine, we have an unspoken rule that when you sit in the barber’s chair, whatever you say doesn’t go away,” he said.

The 53-year-old said it was important for men to speak up, especially outside the big cities.

He said, “It’s a perfect role to ensure mental stability for men in local areas, just to add support and a listening ear when they face these problems.”