Barter Barber Sam Dowdall plans to stay in Christchurch for months to come to give support

While offering a friendly ear to the people in Christchurch things almost took a turn for the worst.

Tauranga's Barter Barber Sam Dowdall had travelled to Christchurch giving men the opportunity to open up about mental health over a haircut, but on Tuesday, his beloved Harley Davidson came face-to-face with a car.

"I am just lucky enough that I have been riding long enough I know how to respond, so I kinda threw the bike into the car sideways and skidded off myself."

Protected by his leather biker kit, he counts himself lucky to have only walked away with yellow and purple bruising up his leg, but sadly his bike wasn't so lucky.

"Everybody here is driving pretty erratic at the moment, I don't think it is a normal Christchurch thing, I think the people are just a bit dazed and confused.

"There is still a lot of hurt going on."

He said there was a heaviness lying across the city but there was also a strong feeling of resilience coming from the people.

"So many times I have heard people say, the guy is an idiot because he chose the most resilient part of the country and that they will get through it.

"The grief is there but they still fell very strongly about not letting him win."

Dowdall had found people didn't know how to talk about the terrorist attack because "what is there to say?"

Without his house truck, he has been bunking with a friend but hoped it wouldn't be long until his portable home made the journey down to join him.

"I think I need to be here for the long haul because obviously, you see the processing of things come out a couple of months down the track.

"And when that happens it is easy to see people hurt and misinterpret that as them being anti-social.

"In my eyes, the idea is to put the ambulance at the top of the cliff rather than the bottom."

When back in the Bay, Dowdall will be giving his koha cuts with all proceeds going towards his truck, which is also in need of some love.

Once fixed, he will drive down to raise awareness around positive mental health and offer support to those that need it.

He said it was important to listen to friends provide them with space and time to deal with the trauma of recent events.

The police helicopter had been flying around 24/7 which Dowdall said put your hackles up.

"You can only do that for so long before you get tired and I think people are getting really, really tired down here.

"We just need to leave that space open because it is all about holding space for people, it's not about fixing anyone. It's not clinical, it is very free."

Dowdall's personal story of how he came into this role was featured last year on TVNZ's Loading Docs series. After losing four friends to suicide, Dowdall now takes road trips around the country in an effort to get men talking about mental health.

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.