The Incheon Metropolitan Government, led by Mayor Park Chan-dae, is strengthening its community-based suicide prevention safety net by training barbers and hairdressers who regularly interact with residents as mental health gatekeepers. The newly launched ‘Life-Loving Hairdressers’ program will enable participants to recognize signs of depression or suicide risk among clients and connect them with professional support services.
 [코리안투데이] Suicide prevention gatekeeper training for Life-Loving Hairdressers © 장형임 기자 |
The Incheon Metropolitan Government announced that it will add the beauty industry to its sector-specific gatekeeper initiative, which trains professionals who frequently interact with residents. The program aims to identify early signs of crisis in places closely connected to daily life and link those in need with appropriate support.
Participating barbers and hairdressers will complete gatekeeper training and learn to recognize signs of depression or suicide risk during everyday conversations with clients. When they determine that assistance is needed, they will provide information about and referrals to local specialist organizations, including suicide prevention centers and community mental health and welfare centers.
The city noted that barbers and hairdressers regularly communicate with clients and build lasting relationships of trust. Officials expect the initiative to serve as an accessible, community-based safety net that reduces gaps in the support system by identifying warning signs in familiar salons and barbershops, including among residents who may find it difficult to seek help directly from professional counseling services.
Since launching the Life-Loving Taxi program in 2017, Incheon has expanded participation to include Life-Loving Pharmacies, Academies, Nurses, Hospitals and Community Advocates. A total of 2,380 sector-specific gatekeepers are currently active.
Yu Jun-ho, head of the city’s Loneliness Care Bureau, said, ‘Barbers and hairdressers are invaluable members of the community who build lasting relationships of trust with residents and are ideally placed to notice small changes in their daily lives.’ He added, ‘We will provide active support so that sector-specific gatekeepers, now including beauty professionals, can serve as a dependable community safety net by identifying residents in need at an early stage and connecting them with specialist organizations.’
Anyone struggling with concerns that are difficult to discuss, including depression, or who knows a family member or acquaintance experiencing such difficulties can receive professional counseling 24 hours a day by calling the suicide prevention hotline at ☎ 109 or using the social media counseling service ‘Madeullan,’ meaning ‘an online friend who listens to your heart.’
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