Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A free workshop is making its way to Grimshaw to help hairdressers and nail techs recognize when their clients may be facing a crisis.
Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (RCSP) North Peace coordinator Casey Szmata says they are running the free workshop to help the professionals learn how to help clients who may need it.
“We have been noticing that hairdressers and nail techs spend a lot of time face-to-face with their clients, and we understand that relationships are developed,” says Szmata.
“Sometimes these careers can result in listening to various people’s problems, traumas, and life changes, and we understand that these conversations may get heavy at times.”
Szmata says recognizing when your client has had enough and knowing what to say to someone who has just told you all of the bad things in their life is critical to help them navigate their heavy waters.
“We want to give these workers some insight into mental health awareness, and how to respond in a crisis,” she notes.
“We want to educate them so that they can recognize if someone is in a mental health crisis. We want them to feel comfortable asking important questions, and we want to ensure that they are practicing self-care for themselves.”
The course will be held on April 14 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the RCSP office at 5005 – 53 Ave in Grimshaw. Szmata hopes to have at least 20 people attend the workshop, but they are prepared to host as many as 40.
“All hairdressers, nail techs, massage therapists, estheticians and anyone dealing with clientele face-to-face that may be a sounding board for their clients are welcome to attend,” Szmata says.
“Lilli Lungard with Community Helpers and myself from the RCSP North Peace will be leading the workshop.”
Interested parties are asked to register with Grimshaw Community Services at (780) 332-4005 extension 04 or contact lundgardl@prsd.ab.ca.
“I believe the more educated we all are on mental health, the more comfortable we all feel having tough conversations,” Szmata says.
“Subjects discussed will include boundaries, tuning into the need for help, self-care, mental health awareness, how to respond in a crisis and learning effective helping processes.”
Funding for the workshop is being provided by Community Helpers, RCSP, and Grimshaw Community Services.
“I think that taking this workshop will really provide a sense of confidence in oneself for talking to clients about tough subjects,” she urges anyone in the various mentioned industries to participate in this workshop.
“Conversations save lives. The more people we can educate, the more people will be comfortable having tough conversations,” she concludes.