Tattoo artists urged to take mental health training

Mr Baillie said many appointments had become like therapy sessions

Tattoo artists and hairdressers are being encouraged to take a 30-minute training course on how to spot and support suicidal clients.

The course has been set up by military veterans' charity Help For Heroes.

Aaron Baillie, a retired Royal Engineer, now works as a tattoo artist in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

He said for many of his customers their appointments had become like therapy and "venting" sessions.

A YouGov survey, commissioned by the charity in July, found one in three veterans had felt suicidal in their lifetime.

The charity said that former armed forces personnel were more likely to turn to family and friends for support than to an official therapist.

It has created a free training course to help people spot the signs of someone struggling with their mental health.

Help For Heroes said there was evidence that salon staff often provided informal therapy

Mr Baillie, who has taken the training course, said: "I regularly tattoo serving military and veterans and, a lot of the time, the tattoo appointments become almost therapy and venting sessions.

"Having gone through some really tough times during and after my military career, I am able to empathise with my customers, who become friends.

"I think tattooists are perfectly placed to take this training and learn how to spot signs when someone might be struggling."

Mr Baillie is a retired Royal Engineer with 22 years service

Help For Heroes said there was anecdotal evidence that salon staff often provided informal therapy sessions for veterans struggling with their mental health.

Scott Lovegrove is a friend, customer and former colleague of Mr Baillie.

He said: "I massively struggled when I first left the army and joined civvy street.

"So much so I was diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

"Trust is a massive issue when getting tattooed - it's going to be on your body for the rest of your life so you need to trust the tattoo artist who is working on you."