What is Might & Mane?
Might & Mane is a mental health support service distributed through Aussie barbers.
We put our barbers through a 3 hour training session where they learn skills of safe conversation, and about existing help services they can refer clients onto.
Our barbers aren’t psychologists, they’re regular people encouraging empowered conversations and normalising help-seeking behaviour & they’re an awesome touch point for blokes.
Currently based in Sydney, but with big plans to move into other cities and rural areas, Might & Mane wants to ensure all Aussie men are checking in on their mental health as regularly as they get their haircut.
Who are Gab and Charlie?
After losing her Dad to suicide, Gab knew that something needed to be done to get more men reaching out for help.
She began researching the mental health campaigns around, and realised a lot were based on one day a year, or one month a year awareness campaigns. There was a lot of talk about talking, but not many platforms for those conversations to be had. Upon discovering 70% of people with a mental disorder don't access services for their mental health, Gab started to think about where we could intersect guys in the community on a regular basis... and... barber shops! She began to wonder if we could get men checking in on their mental health as regularly as they get their hair cut, and start practicing lifelong habits in mental health care. And Might and Mane was born.
Charlie is an extremely passionate guy who is dedicated to making a change. After countless conversations with mates and colleagues it has become all too apparent to him that while there are some amazing services for men's mental health, something is missing for the everyday bloke. That's why he was so excited when Gab approached him with the Might & Mane idea!.
Why Support Us?
Too many young Aussie men are suffering in silence. While there are some fantastic initiatives and programs, mental health is more important than just a one day a year, or one month a year campaign.
Might & Mane will ensure men form positive mental health habits and are checking in on their mental health as often as they are getting their hair cut.
The great thing is, when we train a barber, they’re trained in safe conversation for life. Based on research, barbers see roughly 16 clients a day, five days a week. Therefore, if we training 20 barbers means we’ll reach around 8000 Australian men in our first year. If they get their haircut 10 times a year - that’s 80,000 opportunities for empowered conversations.
Our dream is that every suburb and town has, if not, every barbershop is a certified training safe space for men to discuss mental health and access services.
Who Are We Working With?
As Might & Mane is still in its infancy, we are always looking for new partners to come on board!
We are in discussions with some of the best barbers in Sydney as well as a range of relevant brands that will not only help promote Might & Mane, but also entice new partners and clients to come on board. In addition, a number of corporate partnerships are on the horizon, where the Might & Mane pop-up will turn up to offices, offering haircuts, presentations in safe conversations and some cool prizes and rewards for the staff!
Ultimate Goal
In our first year, we are aiming to have 20 trained, Might & Mane affiliated barbers where Aussie men from all walks of life can get the support, guidance and referral they need.
In our third year we will not only scale up the existing program, but based on the evidence gathered from analysis and surveys, we’ll form partnerships with TAFE’s and leading colleges like the Australian Barbers Association, so we can build our own Might & Mane army to go out and join the fight against suicide.
We will then expand into rural areas, where suicide is 1.5-1.8 times more likely for male 15-24, and also into hairdressers to create a similar platform for women!
Our dream is that every suburb and town has, if not, every barbershop is a certified training safe space for men to discuss mental health and access services.
Follow Us
Another great way you can support us is by following our journey! You can follow us on Instagram: @mightandmaneorg and Like Us On Facebook!
Other Ways You Can Help...
As a small team starting up a not-for-profit, we're always on the look out for passionate individuals to volunteer their skills and help us get Might & Mane off the ground!
If you're a barber, a mental health professional or a psychologist and you'd love to get on board, we'd love to hear from you!
We're also looking for volunteers with skills in graphic design, building websites, content creation, pop-up design and sponsors for our events!
Share your story... want to use your voice to help others reach out for help?
Email: [email protected] to find out more about becoming a Might & Maner!
