The Mosaic Construction and TIACS Alliance

Mosaic is proud to be part of the TIACS Alliance, an industry-recognised mental health company, as a Founding Partner.

As part of our commitment to this initiative, our site teams wear conversation starter shirts to increase awareness with signage displayed across amenities and offices with the hotline number.

Here is some information about TIACS, how they are helping the Construction industry at large and what we are doing to help.

TIACS and Trademutt’s Story

This is a Conversation Starter (TIACS) is the name of the not-for-profit mental health support service funded by TradeMutt. Founded by Dan Allen and Ed Ross, Trademutt makes funky, eye-catching workwear designed to start conversations about mental health, helping to create an invisible issue impossible to ignore.

Once TradeMutt was up and running, they realised how many people were reaching out for support but didn’t know or understand how to navigate the mental health system. They then put the pieces in place and decided to create TIACS.

What do they do?

TIACS offers free, confidential, and accessible counselling over the phone and by text to tradies, truckies, rural, blue-collar workers, and those who care about them. They operate Monday – Friday, from 8 am – 10 pm AEST.

TIACS removes the physical and financial barriers that prevent blue-collar Australians from accessing the help they need and deserve. As an early to mid-intervention service, TIACS also provides ongoing counselling and support.

All TIACS counsellors are qualified and skilled in utilising various therapies. They provide appropriate support for individual situations and client needs.

What is Mosaic Construction doing to help?

As a Founding Partner of the TIACS Alliance, Mosaic started by purchasing TIACS and Trademutt shirts, proudly worn by all our site-based staff across our construction sites. The money used to purchase these shirts goes directly back into TIACS counselling hours.

We are also spreading awareness and starting conversations through our toolbox talks, pre-start meetings and displaying posters across our sites with the hotline number.

These initiatives encourage our site team to reach out if needed and spark tough conversations they otherwise wouldn’t usually have with colleagues.

Why is mental health a critical issue to support?

Every two days in the construction industry, there is a suicide. With a worker in the blue-collar sector six times more likely to die from suicide than a workplace accident, this service of providing early-mid intervention support is much needed. 

The blue-collar industry is the foundation on which Australia is built. Supporting those who support us is critical in curbing the suicide rates within our community.

What impact do donations have on the charity?

The Construction industry funds TIACS through corporate partnerships and donations. For every dollar donated to TIACS, 78 cents is put back into counselling hours to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service. The TIACS growth in calls/texts is significant and reflects the current pressures our communities are experiencing.  

What are the successes/impacts have TIACS had?

In two years, TIACS has impacted over 7900 clients, over 6000 hours of conversations were had, and over $1.3 million of market value services have been put back into the community. Without this service, these individuals would have either not sought help, had to make the outlay financially, or had pressure placed on other support services. 

Want to help or learn more?

If you want to help support Australia’s truckies, tradies, and rural and blue-collar workers, there are many ways you can do this through TIACS:

• Consider donating here;
• Host a fundraiser to raise money and spread awareness or
• Help to fund TIACS counsellors by joining the alliance and making a real difference.

Click here to learn more about TIACS and how you can get involved.