Rockford Sun

Last fall, the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, in partnership with its Grassroots team, announced a new project in coordination with local barbers and beauticians – the Barbershop Project. The Barbershop Project highlights how barbers and beauticians, if provided the correct tools and education, can help interrupt the cycle of violence and support the mental well-being of clients. The Barbershop Project, in collaboration with the Family Peace Center, NAMI of Northern Illinois, and others, provides training on mental health, domestic and sexual violence, and community resources to barbers and beauticians so they are equipped with basic knowledge when customers present with these issues in their shops.

Comprehensive Community Solutions, Northwest Community Center, the Community Life Center, and NAMI of Northern Illinois are also collaborating with the Barbershop Project to facilitate monthly community conversations—called Shop Talk 101—on topics related to mental health and trauma to destigmatize these issues and create safe places for discussions.

The group’s next Shop Talk session will be held on Monday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m. at Northwest Community Center, 1325 N. Johnston Avenue. NAMI trainers will provide important information on QPR—the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide (Question, Persuade, Refer). Participants will learn how to recognize the warning signs of someone in distress, persuade them to seek help, and refer them to appropriate resources.

For more information and to register for this session, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-barbershop-project-presents-qpr-question-persuade-refer-tickets-938965490057?aff=oddtdtcreator.

The QPR training is provided by funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board through a voter-approved half-cent sales tax for mental health services.