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LVML becomes TIACS Alliance Partner
Established by the co-founders of the social enterprise, TradeMutt, This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) began when they realised people were reaching out to mental health services and support, but receiving no reply. Unable to sit back and watch as people mustered the courage to ask for help only to be left unheard and abandoned, they chose to start a free direct mental health support service that would remove the barriers to receiving professional help. As a member of the Alliance Program, LVML be supporting efforts to raise community awareness of TIACS in their quest to reduce the loss of Australian lives to suicide. LVML CEO, Megan Flower commented: “The wellbeing of our community has been pushed to its limits over the last two years, with numerous pressures– both professional and personal – placing many individuals in a vulnerable position. “While the post-COVID economy may be bouncing back, there are still many challenges for our members to work through, so having access to a service, such as TIACS, which understands the intricacies of our sector, is invaluable. “We are exceptionally proud to be supporting such a noble initiative through this Alliance Partnership, and we look forward to working closely with the team at TIACS to strengthen their profile and continue to raise awareness amongst our membership of the importance of taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing.”
Ed Ross and Dan Allen, co-founders of TradeMutt and TIACS provided us with an overview of how the service works.
What is TIACS? TIACS is a free and confidential chat, text and callback service, providing early-intervention mental health support for Australia’s tradies and blue collar workers, and those who care about them.
How do I contact TIACS? Call or text 0488 846 988. Professional psychologists are available MonFri 8am-10pm AEST. Whether you just need to chat, or are looking for some more serious support, we’re here for you. Need urgent support? If you or someone else is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, contact 000. Outside of hours? Leave a message and we’ll call you back. Otherwise, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14, open 24/7.
What will happen when I call? At the beginning of all TIACS calls you’ll hear a short, recorded message that explains our confidentiality policy. The first session will mainly be us getting to know you, and talking about how you’ve been doing, some details about your situation, and how we can best support you. Sometimes our phone lines can be very busy, and we might miss your call. If that happens, don’t worry, simply leave a message and as soon as someone is available we will call you right back.
You can talk about anything. Some of the most common reasons for contacting TIACS is relationships troubles, family issues, grief and loss, substance use, depression and anxiety, and loneliness. Not sure what to talk about? That’s okay. We will ask you questions and guide you through the conversation.
Will you tell anyone what I’ve said? TIACS operates under strict confidentiality, and your name or other personal details will never be shared outside of the organisation, unless you or a loved one is in danger. If necessary, our counsellors may contact the authorities to assist. If you have any questions about our confidentiality policy, feel free to speak with one of our friendly counsellors about it.
How do I book an appointment? The best part about TIACS is that you don’t need an appointment to get free mental health support. Call or text 0488 846 988 anytime Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST to have a chat. If you are looking for ongoing support, we can help with that too. TIACS doesn’t offer online bookings, since we prefer to get to know you first in order to decide which counsellor can best support you. So give us a call, and tell us a bit about yourself, and together we can decide how best to support you and your mental health.
Who can contact TIACS? While our services are directed towards Australia’s blue collar workers and those who care about them, anybody in need of support is welcome to call us. If our service isn’t the right one for you, don’t worry, our counsellors will help you find the right service to contact. 35 of 4 4
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Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers is proud to announce that they have become an Alliance Partner of This is a Conversation Starter.
What can I talk about?
