Watch: ‘I Was Waiting, Hoping, For The Day Where I Could Finally Rest’ – The Emotional Story Of The Żabbar Barber Who Overcame His Mental Battles
Meet Emanuel Lia Cucciardi, your friendly neighbourhood barber and mental health advocate.
Ever since his emergence as a barber with another local shop, he fostered countless relationships with regular clients that have stuck with him even after he ventured to his own business on 14th May of this year.
Emanuel prides himself in the environment he created within his shop, calling it more of a hangout spot than a place to cut your hair.
With reoccurring topics of personal issues, wellness and mental health, the cozy corner in Żabbar has transformed into a makeshift therapist’s office for some.
Despite donning the robe of an impromptu therapist, Emanuel’s wisdom stems from his own hardships and inner conflict, that could have unfortunately cost him his life at his own hands.
Lovin Malta’s Josmar Darmanin sat in the barber’s seat for a fresh cut and a chat to uncover the emotional story of Manini’s close brush with death and the lessons he learned along the way.
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From his own safe space, Emanuel bravely told the tale of how he came close to losing his inner battles.
After a moment of hesitation, and an extensive pep-talk from his loved ones, Emanuel braved through and opened up, all for the sake of making his story heard.
In a moment he described as a “flick of a switch”, after much ongoing mental conflict, Emanuel determined that he could finally “rest” from his thoughts while on a walk with his then-girlfriend next to a busy road.
As the tension escalated, Emanuel did something that could have been irreversible, had his girlfriend not intervened. With a promptly outreached hand, his girlfriend pulled him back to safety, followed by a lengthy, well-needed discussion that allowed Emanuel to finally unleash all his pent up emotions.
When recounting what followed his attempt, Emanuel shared that he sought help professionally almost soon after.
He did stress that his views on therapy and professional help were tinted by his previously-stigmatic mindset, however in the face of death he took a chance to better himself.
Emanuel described how help can extend beyond the professional as well, as many therapists would say, help starts from within.
He recounted how in his downtime he would often find himself appreciating his surroundings, developing a more positive outlook on life, all the while listening to music that made him all the more happy.
On top of that, he found solace in those around him, the same ones that he once feared would ridicule him for his thoughts. His family, his friends, his clients and job, and even his now-fianceé were strong motivators in what kept him going.
Following months of personal and professional help, this barber’s life turned around for the better with lifetime achievements flooding in soon after his winning battle.
From exclusive radio and television features to even finally proposing to his long-term girlfriend, Manini’s story is truly the epitome of, “it gets worse before it gets better.”
Emanuel has since continued to advocate for mental health, especially when it comes to ending the stigma surrounding mental struggles in men.
His most recent awareness campaign was throughout the month of November, where customers were urged to grow out their facial hair in support of the Movember movement, where five lucky participants would be eligible for a series of discounts and goodies.
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At least 515 people attempted suicide in Malta between 2018 and 2022, 123 of which died as a result, with 323 of the total being male.
Stigma around the topic of mental health continues to be a problematic occurence, especially when it revolves around male victims.
There are many individuals like Emanuel who live to tell the tale, to empower those who need empowerment and perhaps give them the strength needed to find their voice and speak up.
For individuals in need of professional assistance regarding mental health, it is advisable to contact either 1579, 1770, or visit Kellimni.com.
If anyone has been affected by suicide, they can also contact VSM on 21228333 or [email protected].
And if you have a story that you think could motivate or inspire others, contact Lovin Malta or me directly at [email protected]
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