A new initiative in Guernsey aims to equip islanders in traditionally 'chatty' jobs with the skills to support someone struggling with their mental health.

Free mental health awareness training sessions are being organised by Guernsey Mind, open to anyone in the following jobs: 

• hairdressers 
• barbers
• taxi drivers 
• beauty therapists 
• physical therapists 
• hospitality and retail staff 
• sports coaches.

The scheme is also open to anyone who frequently interacts with people and feels they could benefit from the sessions.

Jo Cottell, Chief Executive and Guernsey Mind, says the sessions aim to help people find the right words to say in difficult everyday conversations: 

"It is really designed to support people who are helping others, providing some skills and resources to people who are front-line in the community.

"It's just to teach them some listening skills, some questioning skills so when someone says, 'I've got a lot of stuff going on for me at the minute'.

"It's about knowing what to say back to that to try and support that person rather than thinking - 'oh my goodness, I don't want to go there as I don't want to say the wrong thing."

Guernsey Mind training

Training will be running at the Peninsula Hotel on three dates: 

• Wednesday 27 November – 6.00pm-7.30pm
• Thursday 28 November – 9.30am-11.00am
• Friday 29 November – 12.30pm-2.00pm.

You can sign up for free on the Guernsey Mind website.