In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with Jason Banks, a leader in mental health advocacy, to discuss how This Is A Conversation Starter or TIACS is transforming mental health support for tradies, truckies, and farmers across Australia.
With a personal connection to PTSD and a background in retail leadership, Jason opens up about why he joined TIACS and the critical role the organisation plays in providing free, accessible counselling to blue-collar workers. From breaking down barriers to early intervention, Jason sheds light on the challenges and successes of supporting mental health in traditionally tough industries.
Read on to discover how TIACS is making a real impact and changing lives.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved with TIACS?
Yeah sure. I have over 30 years of retail leadership experience, working for Coles and Bunnings in senior leadership roles, including being the state manager for Queensland. I also served as the National Safety and Wellness Manager at Bunnings for Australia and New Zealand. In 2019, I resigned and took some time off. I set up a personal training studio, focusing on working with people with disabilities. However, something was missing, and I wanted to have a broader impact. That’s when I came across TIACS. I was drawn to it because it aligned with my purpose and personal experiences with PTSD, which I saw firsthand with my father, a Vietnam veteran. I wanted to be part of something that makes a real difference in mental health.
Q: What motivated you to be part of an organisation focused on mental health awareness?
A For me, it’s deeply personal. I grew up seeing my father struggle with PTSD from his time in Vietnam, and I always felt that there wasn’t enough support for people like him. TIACS gave me an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. Also, after working in leadership roles, I saw how mental health challenges are widespread, especially in industries like retail. This is my way of contributing to creating change.
For those who might not be familiar, could you explain what TIACS is and the mission behind it?
TIACS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides professional mental health support to tradies, truckies, and farmers across Australia, including their loved ones. We focus on making mental health support accessible by removing financial, physical, and social barriers. Our vision is to be the go-to mental health support service that people recommend to their mates.
What specific services does TIACS provide, and how do they differ from other mental health support organisations?
We provide free mental health counselling through text and call services, focusing on early intervention. Unlike many services that address crisis situations, TIACS tries to prevent people from reaching that crisis point. We offer up to eight free sessions, with no GP referral needed, and clients have the same counsellor throughout their journey. We operate outside normal business hours to make it easier for people in these industries to access help.
What are the most common issues that people seek help for through TIACS?
Relationships are the number one issue, particularly for men. Financial stress and workplace challenges also come up frequently. A lot of people deal with situational stress that can accumulate and create bigger mental health problems if left unaddressed.
How has the organization evolved since its inception?
When TIACS started, it was mostly focused on tradies, but over time, we’ve expanded to include truck drivers and farmers. We recognised that these other blue-collar industries faced similar challenges but didn’t have as much access to mental health support.
What are some of the biggest challenges TIACS has faced in promoting mental health conversations, especially in industries like construction?
One of the biggest challenges is changing the help-seeking behavior. Many people in these industries, particularly men, don’t feel comfortable reaching out until they’re in a crisis. We need to create an environment where it’s okay to say, ‘I’m not feeling great’ and ask for help earlier.
What are the most common barriers people face in seeking help for mental health issues, and how does TIACS address these?
One of the major barriers is people’s own internal dialogue. They think, ‘I’m not bad enough to need help’ or ‘I don’t want to take a spot from someone who needs it more.’ We also focus on removing the complexity of accessing services, making it simple to connect with us through text or call.
In your opinion, how has the conversation around mental health changed in recent years, particularly in Australia?
Mental health used to be marketed as a dark, isolated issue, but now there’s a shift. Campaigns like ‘R U OK?’ have helped normalise the conversation, but we still need more action. Mental health is slowly becoming seen as a form of mental fitness, similar to physical fitness, but there’s still work to be done in making sure people take action when they need help.
What role do you think workplaces should play in supporting the mental health of their employees?
Employers need to take a proactive approach and create a supportive culture. It’s not just about offering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); it’s about understanding individual needs and making sure there’s a solid well-being plan in place. A lot of organisations just offer a gym discount and think they’ve done enough, but it needs to go deeper than that.
What are your goals for the future of TIACS? Where do you see the organization in the next 5-10 years?
For us, it’s about making sure that we set up a long-term sustainable not-for-profit organisation. Our goal is to be one of the top five mental health support services in the country within the next five years. What we’re doing is unique, and no one else is doing it the way we are. In five years, TIACS will be bigger than Trademutt.
We’re committed to sticking to our lane, staying true to our story and DNA, and avoiding outside influences that could derail us. Importantly, we don’t seek government funding to maintain autonomy over our operations and ensure longevity.
The TRADEMUTT shirts, Jason, tell us more about the story there?
Trademutt was started with 1,500 shirts back in 2018, with no idea of how big it would become. Now, it’s a movement. The shirts have grown into something more—a colorful, light-hearted way to start conversations about mental health. They break down barriers, especially in male-dominated industries, by turning something dark into something that invites conversation. Wearing the shirt is a statement, and people know that the wearer is open to talking about mental health.
Recently we’ve seen a MACK Semi Wrapped for TIACS… tell us more about this and what other projects like this are out there that we can look for?
The MACK Semi Wrapped for TIACS is just one of the ways we’re getting the word out. We’ve been collaborating with other companies to promote mental health through creative campaigns. These partnerships help us spread the message far and wide, and we’re looking forward to similar projects with more companies in the future. The goal is always to start conversations and create visibility in a way that resonates with our audience.
