A recent visit from the Walkabout Barber had many Cobar locals flaunting some fresh haircuts, and provided a valuable opportunity for mental health support.

Over two days on the 26th and 27th of September, more than100 hair and beauty appointments were carried about the Walkabout Barber in their trailer.

Brian Dowd, the man behind the clippers, is a trauma specialist, who, after surviving his own trauma realised that his skills as a barber and a trauma specialist were in dire need of those who lived far away.

Quickly, he began converting a trailer to allow his barber shop to become mobile. And, so, the Walkabout Barber was born.

"For women, a lot of the time going to the hairdresser is like their counselling session," said Mr Dowd.

"The Walkabout Barber has allowed a lot of men the opportunity to sit and let their guard down."

"It's like they get given permission to do that when they're in a barber space," he said.

Brian and his team spent two days in Cobar giving out free haircuts and beauty appointments.

PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Brian also presented a suicide prevention workshop each day to help spread awareness and offer first aid mental health training to a community that wouldn't have otherwise had that opportunity.

Cobar's Wellness Coordinator, Wendy Liu said "our main goal was to highlight the presence of the community services here in Cobar and to show our community that together we can reduce the stigma of mental health."

"Brian was very proactive to engage with all clients and surrounding people in Cobar and we've had great feedback from their visit," she said.

Brian with a Cobar youngster showing off the finished product. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Although the Walkabout Barber shop is not scheduled to return in the near future, Wendy says that a number of other community organisations have activities scheduled to help showcase the available support within the community.

"Especially after the COVID lockdowns meant a lot of events had to be cancelled, we are definitely trying to kick start a lot more," she said.

A free sausage sizzle and kids activities in Drummond Park next Tuesday is the next activity on Cobar's calendar, which Wendy hopes will once again bring the community together to build resilience, friendships and support networks.