FIVE prisoners within HMP Perth have completed Scottish Mental Health First Aid training as a way of supporting their peers.
The individuals all work in the barbers, a key hub of activity within the prison, where over 2,000 haircuts are given every year.
Barbers or hairdressers, whether in a prison or in the community, occupy a unique position, often providing an opportunity for people to disclose information they may not otherwise be comfortable sharing in other settings.
In prison, the barbers meet and interact with individuals at all stages of their journey in the criminal justice system, from those on remand awaiting a court date, to those dealing with the prospect of many years behind bars.
During the course of their working days, it became clear to the men that they wanted to feel better equipped to navigate conversations around mental health.
