Barbers and hairdressers across Greater Manchester are being given the opportunity to receive mental health training.

An online session designed to give hair professionals the skills to recognise when someone is struggling will be held on September 28.

The event is being organised by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) and charity The Lions Barber Collective.

Bolton-based barber Craig Henderson has previously undergone training with the charity and he's already helped point several people in the right direction.

Craig said: "It's about noticing if someone is going through a hard time, ultimately having your hair cut is a very intimate experience and people are put at ease here.

"We look for signs in customers such as if they've put on weight and what their mood is, and we'll ask them how they're feeling.

"The training gives you the tools to know what to do next, whether that's just listening to the customer or referring them somewhere else.

"It's about bridging that gap between the community and the resources available.

"I would highly recommend it, it means you can go above and beyond for your customers.

"I've had my own mental health struggles, in fact the training from the Lions has helped me build up confidence.

"We all have bad days and dramas in life but its important that we start talking to each other."

It's the first time the training will be done on this scale in Greater Manchester, although similar initiatives have been carried out elsewhere.

Tom Chapman is the founder and CEO of The Lions Baber Collective and will be delivering the training.

Tom said: "The training is based around four pillars: recognise, ask, listen and help.

"We make sure that people can recognise the signs that someone is struggling and know how to ask about it.

"What is important is that we are non-clinical and non-judgemental, we don't diagnose mental health problems but we make sure people get the help they need.

"We make sure that barbers and hairdressers are prepared to have these conversations, and that they know what to do should someone be suicidal.

"All of them will have a list of places they can contact and refer people to, so they're never alone in this either.

"Everyone goes to have their haircut and it's a way to reach the unreachable."