Our mission at Brothers in Arms is to transform male mental health.
The Blethr project is a significant step forward in Brothers in Arms' mission to reduce male suicide. Merging innovative technology with psychological concepts offers a unique approach to improving men's mental well-being. This approach is designed specifically for men and aims to bridge, not replace, the gap left by traditional therapy options which may not resonate with all males or may be inaccessible due to long waiting times or funding cutbacks.
The platform provides safe spaces where you can talk freely without fear of judgment. As a curious technology, it seeks to understand and help through questions rather than accessing a simple library of answers. People may call Blethr a ChatBot; we prefer Conversationer.
Brothers in Arms is committed to promoting mental well-being and has invested in a groundbreaking initiative: The Blethr Platform. This provides a safe, non-judgmental space for men to express themselves freely.
A New Approach to Men’s Mental Health
An innovative platform combines conversational technology with psychological principles to create a user-friendly conversation and listening space. Unlike conventional methods that often pressure individuals into sharing their feelings without providing an appropriate environment or listener, The Blethr Platform is available to provide men a safe space where they can talk freely without fear of judgment.
Why Invest in The Blethr Project?
The decision by Brothers in Arms to support this project acknowledges the rising prevalence of poor mental health among men and recognizes the scarcity of accessible resources. The charity understands that many reactive solutions focus on symptomatic relief rather than addressing root causes.
The Concept Behind The Platform
The project is driven by two key psychological concepts: "What Happens Inside, Happens Outside: A Human Sense-Making Framework" and "Human Nature for Human Beings: A Human Sense-Making Process." This research was carried out and published by psychologist Ian McLaren Wallace, who, with developer Neil Fogarty, combined these concepts with advanced technology to offer support based on individual needs. Over the last three years, they worked with Dan Proverbs, founder of BIA, to develop a framework that would apply to men.
User-Centered Therapy & Clean Language
Incorporating user-centered or person-centered therapy principles allows users to take control over their therapeutic journey. Utilising Clean Language, a recognized therapeutic approach, encourages users to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
Confidentiality and Availability
One unique point of the platform is its around-the-clock availability, providing flexibility that traditional therapy often lacks. Confidentiality is crucial; all conversations are kept secure and private, enabling users to open up without apprehension.
The Road Ahead
The project's potential for scalability is vast. Though its journey begins in Scotland, the vision extends well beyond borders. We aim to make the technology available to other charities as cost-effectively as possible.
We fundraise for the continuous evolution of The Blethr Platform and to keep it free to men. Future developments include a login for users to create an anonymized data layer for research on crisis anticipation instead of crisis intervention as a more proactive method of reducing the high rate of male suicide. Now a Global issue
This investment by Brothers in Arms reflects their commitment to acknowledging and actively addressing men's mental health issues with innovative solutions. By providing men with a safe space to talk freely about their feelings without fear of judgment or backlash, Brothers in Arms continues to lead by example in championing men's mental health.
Understand your feelings. Explore your options. Focus on your future. Become who you truly want to be
For many men, a trip to the barbershop represents more than just a routine grooming necessity. It's a space of comfort, camaraderie, and at times, candid conversations. Recognizing the unique potential of this setting is at the heart of an innovative initiative - The Barber Project.
The project, born from a collaborative effort between Brothers in Arms charity, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), and Glasgow-based barber shop Rebel Rebel, is an attempt to harness the power of these intimate exchanges in Barbershops and Salons for positive mental health outcomes.
The premise behind this project is simple yet profound: equip barbers with skills and knowledge that enable them to foster conversations about mental health with their male clientele. By doing so, it aims to break down barriers that often prevent men from opening up about their struggles.
Studies have shown that men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health issues due largely to societal expectations and stigmas surrounding masculinity. The stark reality associated with this reluctance has devastating consequences: suicide rates among men are alarmingly high across many nations.
A Fresh Approach
The Barber Project seeks to change this narrative by training barbers on how they can encourage their customers into starting dialogues about their emotional wellbeing. Following initial success at Rebel Rebel's salon earlier this year where 12 local Barbers were trained; Glasgow Clyde College has now incorporated these workshops into its hairstyling curriculum.
Making A Difference
The workshop provides participants not only with tools for facilitating sensitive discussions but also guidance on how they can respond when someone discloses experiences related to mental health or suicide. It doesn't aim for them to become therapists; rather it arms them with the empathy and understanding to act as supportive listeners.
Encouragingly, the early feedback from these training sessions has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have reported feeling more confident in handling such conversations, and importantly, they are motivated to help.
Reaching Out By Reaching In
This project represents a shift in how we think about mental health outreach towards men. Rather than waiting for individuals to reach out for help - often a significant barrier - it's about reaching in proactively. It acknowledges the need for everyone to play their part in supporting each other's mental health.
Through its approach, The Barber Project is not just providing haircuts but potentially life-saving conversations. It's a testament to what can be achieved when we look beyond traditional methods of addressing mental health and instead focus on strategies embedded within communities themselves.
The Future
The next steps for The Barber Project involve reaching other professionals who have regular contact with men such as personal trainers, sports coaches and those within the corporate workforce This expansion aims to further increase the number of people skilled at initiating these critical discussions around male mental health issues.
In its essence, The Barber Project is an embodiment of empathy at work – a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one conversation to make a difference.