Barber given honorary degree for work to promote mental health

Tom Chapman's mission to increase training has saved lives

Tom Chapman
Author: Andrew KayPublished 24th Jul 2024

A Devon barber's been given an honorary degree by the University of Exeter for his work to prevent suicide.

After Tom Chapman lost a friend, he's worked to help train those in the health and beauty sector to spot the signs of people who are struggling.

Tom created The Lions Barber Collective, an international network of barbers who have come together to help raise awareness about mental health - saying those in the sector often build a unique rapport with their clients.

He said: "We're at the high and low points of everyone's life. We're there for first dates and engagements and christenings but we're also there for funerals, redundacnies and divorces. We're there for these high and low points."

Tom is now an author, educator, ambassador, and TEDx speaker as well as creating an innovative education programme which trains hair and beauty professionals, and now anybody, to recognise, ask, listen and help those around them. It aims to bridge the gap between communities and mental health resources.

After opening his own salon in 2011, Tom quickly realised that from inside the safe environment of his barbershop there was an opportunity to not only look after what was on his customers heads but also, what was inside their heads.

Tom thanked everyone who had supported him on his “wild journey” and encouraged new graduates to devote themselves to a mission and purpose.

He said: “Purpose has enabled me to save lives, travel the world, make change and even write four books. Purpose is truly one of the secrets of life. Finding it has given me the drive to continue.

“This mission has been tough and taken its toll, but things like today reassure me that I’m on the right

For more about Tom click here