Most men happier to discuss mental health with barber than doctor

Over half of men living in Britain feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues such as depression with their barbers than their doctors, according to a survey from men’s mental health charity The Lions Barber Collective and male grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge. The results provide a valuable insight ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 that suggests the trusted relationship between doctors and their male patients is significantly less valuable than it has been in the past. The survey, which sampled 1,908 men currently living in Britain*, revealed that 53% of men are more likely to discuss private issues, such as depression and other mental health issues, with their barbers. 78% also make a conscious effort to regularly visit the same barber. In comparison, only 54% of these men find themselves consulting with the same doctor when visiting their local health centre. The subsequent relationships that are built from these visits highlight that 71% of men have good, or in some cases a very good relationship with their barber. Meanwhile, 59% rated their patient to doctor relationship as just average or worse still, poor.