The Big Listen aims to highlight the round-the-clock support offered by the charity.

Samaritans have enlisted the nation’s hairdressers to help promote their latest campaign.

The Big Listen aims to highlight the support Samaritans offer around the clock to anyone feeling overwhelmed with life.

People are also being encouraged to download the charity’s Shush Listening Tips – a guide on how to be a better listener to friends or family members undergoing tough times.

With hairdressers accustomed to listening to their clients talk about their lives, the charity has opened a pop-up barbers shop at London’s King Cross Station as part of the campaign.

A good listener will let people talk and read the person and be responsive, it’s not about giving advice

Mental health campaigners Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn showed their support by popping in for a trim.

Vlogger and documentary maker Benjamin said: “The simple and human act of listening is so important and it makes such a difference.”

The pop-up barbers is being ran by the Lions Barber Collective, a group of hairdressers who raise awareness of mental health issues in a bid to prevent suicides.

Celebrity hairdresser Verona White is also supporting the Samaritans’ campaign.

“Everyone needs someone to talk to and it’s not always family,” she said.

“A good listener will let people talk and read the person and be responsive, it’s not about giving advice.”

More than 150 events are being held around the UK to mark the campaign, with other supports including hairdresser and Gogglebox star Stephen Webb.

Samaritans’ chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: “Three times more people die by suicide than from road accidents.

“Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but this is a skill we can all learn. Many hairdressers are naturally good listeners and many more people can learn those skills too.”