Barber on life-saving journey

Mount barber Sam Dowdell is taking his barbershop to the road, planning to visit every town in New Zealand trading haircuts for services to raise awareness of male suicide and men's mental health.

The 26-year old, who in the past few years has lost four friends and "several clients" to suicide, is passionate about spreading the message to men and boys that talking and "sharing the load" is key to suicide preventation.

"The barber's chair is one of the only places where men feel they can talk about anything, and confide things that they wouldn't tell others. It is kind of a sacred place like that. So I thought what better way to spread the message that we men need to start talking about depression and suicide than to take the chair on the road."

Departing from the Mount in February, and calling himself "the Barter Barber", Dowdell plans to visit every town in New Zealand with a population of more than 2000. He expects the itinerary will take two years to complete. He is being accompanied on his journey by his rescue pup, poodle-cross, Bo.

He is currently making a 1981 Bedford ambulance roadworthy which will pull the Barber Shop which will be kitted out with traditional fittings including a swing stool and oak mirror and of course, a barber's pole.

He is filming the journey and plans to pitch a documentary to Netflix. He has set up a Facebook page where people can follow him on his journey and also make donations to Lifeline Aoteroa, which offer a free telephone and counselling service for those who may be thinking about suicide.

Dowdell will do haircuts in each town but will take no cash, relying instead on trades from clients.

"Trade is the ultimate human equaliser. It can be in the form of food for me, dog food for Bo, or a petrol card or a place to park the caravan, or services, or experiences. Or as simple as a story.

Everything that people donate will be broken down into cuts, so if someone gives me something more valuable than their haircut, I will calculate that into hair cuts which I will offer to people who cannot afford it. Any money that people give will be given to Lifeline, and extra food donated to the local foodbank."

Dowdell has completed suicide prevention courses through Lifeline and has spoken to professionals in the mental health field,

"Almost everyone is affected in some way by suicide, knowing friends or family, and it's alarming. In my experience barbering overseas, I found men much more open, compared to Kiwi men who really seem to struggle with emotions. That is sadly reflected in our high suicide rates. I wanted to do something and I realised that the skill I have cutting hair offers opportunities beyond hair, to start talking to people about their lives and experiences. So its really trying to help at a grass roots level."

"It's a simple mission-with an aim to leave clients feeling better than before, to leave things, better than they were."

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.