“Just easin’ the tension.”
No matter how you look at it, depression and suicide is a real problem in Japan. In 2009, the number of people who took their own life exceeded 30,000 people and that number has been rising for over a decade. From what I’ve been led to believe, one of the biggest hurdles is that depression and other mental ailments still retain a heavy social stigma which makes it difficult for people to seek help. In an attempt to combat this, the city of Toyama is enlisting the help of some of their hardest working citizens: the hair dressers.
In the first plan of its kind anywhere in the country, over 650 hair dressers from around the city are being recruited to undergo special training from psychologists. The logic behind the plan is that if there’s anyone that people tend to trust with their problems, it’s their hair dresser. Speaking about the plan, a Toyama government spokesman said “Customers often form a relaxing relationship with the hairdresser and converse about a variety of topics. With this in mind, we chose to get the co-operation of hairdressers to help with suicide prevention.”
With the special new training, those cutting the hair will now be armed with the ability to notice if someone is showing signs of clinical depression or anxiety. That way they can refer them to professional help before they decide to end their lives. Salons that have hair dressers taking part in the program are even being given
window stickers to display which alerts customers to the fact that they may be told they need professional mental help.
I’m actually all in favor of this plan. It’s a unique new approach that has just as good a chance to work as anything else Japan has tried (such as their blue light special train stations). I’d like to see this expanded out even more even. What about bartenders? Do people in Japan never cry into their drinks while spilling their guts to their bartender or is that exclusive to this side of the Pacific?

Now THAT'S unexpected. I think the guy who came up with this idea is just a genius.

How ironic, I hate talking to my barber.

I would be weirded out if I was just particularly sad on the day of a haircut, and my barber told me to seek help.

Oh, that's what the window sticker is for.

I do enjoy talking to my hairstylist. She talks to me about everything and shows me how to take care of my hair.

I love listening to the conversations my cutters have with each other, theyre rather funny

That is genus. Wish America could do that. That would be cool.

if i had the same hairstylist each time i came in,then i might, but due to my fear of strangers, i ussually dont talk to anyone out side my family or circle of friends

that actually makes a lot of sense. suicide is a sad thing and even if a measure to prevent it, no matter how small, is used then it is for a worthy cause

its good to know that there still those who try to keep others alive

>>9 I agree one hundred percent with you, I we could do anything to prevent someone taking a life, even their own, we should do it.
>>8 I was just like you a few years back. I was terrified of people, especially new people, and couldn't stand large crowds for very long. Then, I realized I had gone through high school without getting to know very many people and I decided one day to change. That's all it took, a simple thought, and I decided I needed to meet new people and try new things. I've been getting better at it ever since.

That's great! That's a move in the right direction. :)
Now we need to figure out how to stop people from getting that way in the first place~

Sounds like a cool idea. I would be a hair dresser just to do this.

This is such a cool idea, I think this could actually work too. I think its amazing these hair dressers are all stepping in to help, pretty amazing heros if you ask me :)

amazing. no matter where, whether it be in america or japan, suicide is a bad idea and needs to be stopped. no other way to put it.

Suicide dose suck the son of a family freind freind killed her self. Me i've tried several times in the past after my freind was murdered.

Finally, someone did something smart :D!

oh my goodness, this is such a cute and amazing idea! i love it. <3

Exactly

bump

anything to help really isnt there a suicide every 15 minutes in japan or somthing like that

anything to help really isnt there a suicide every 15 minutes in japan or somthing like that

Isnt there a lot of people in japan? Yes. So that number isnt very surprising.
Just thought id point out that the picture is freaking amazing and i hate you people for posting such an awesome one

bump

Wish my hair dresser would cheer me up *sighs*

bumping this as a *hint hint* for possible Dollar Hair Dressers out there!

Certainly could use this in the US!

Wow, this is a great idea!... Now I wish i was a hairdreser... haha.