Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi has taken a bold step to raise awareness about men’s mental health, wearing a vibrant TradeMutt suit during a speech in Parliament. The suit, designed by TradeMutt and tailored by Urbana, is intended to spark life-saving conversations.
The initiative also promotes TIACS, a not-for-profit counselling service created by TradeMutt founders Dan Allen and Ed Ross after losing a close friend to suicide. TIACS provides free, professional counselling via phone and text for tradies, apprentices, truck drivers, miners, farmers, hospitality workers and anyone doing it tough. There are no wait times, no referrals and no cost.
Since its launch, TIACS has supported more than 50,000 conversations, helping men open up in their ute, on site, in the shed or at home.
Mr Repacholi said breaking down stereotypes and normalising reaching out for support is vital. “It’s important to show that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” he said.
“I am wearing this suit because too many blokes are still doing it tough in silence, and if a bright suit gets one man talking or one mate checking in, it’s worth every bit of attention.
“After missing the Olympic teams in 2000 and 2024, I struggled massively with my confidence and mental health, and I know how hard it is to reach out, which is why services like TIACS are so important.
“Talking isn’t weakness, it’s strength, and TIACS makes it simple for men to pick up the phone or send a text when they need it.
“If we want to stop losing seven men a day to suicide, we need to make conversations about mental health as normal as talking about footy or work.
“Every time a bloke reaches out, it’s not just him who benefits. it strengthens families, workplaces and whole communities.”
