Join the thousands of aussies getting funky.
Blue Collar workers are doing it tough.
1 in 4
tradies experience mental illness
70%
more likely to take their own lives than other occupations.
45%
of farmers have considered self harm or suicide.
but they are not alone.
TIACS is the only dedicated mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, rural and blue-collar workers. Call or Text 0488 846 988 or visit TIACS find out more.
Funky Shirt Fridays starts conversations.
The only way to truly change the culture surrounding mental health is by taking action over what we can control and that starts with the way we speak and act ourselves.
The best way to help others talk more openly about their own mental health and emotional health is not by asking them to, but rather by showing them how to. Showing others how to do this requires us to put ourselves out there and show a bit more vulnerability in our daily lives.
The best day to put yourself out there is on a Friday, and the best way to put yourself out there is by wearing a funky shirt. Funky Shirt Friday means wearing outrageously funky shirts on the best day of the week to encourage meaningful conversations and make the invisible impossible to ignore.
TIACS is a professional text and phone counselling service for Australia’s tradies, truckies, farmers and blue collar communities. Accessing TIACS is free, confidential and you can talk to the same counsellor throughout your journey.
how to get around it
Get funky
Take ownership of your own mental health and put on a funky shirt every Friday, the best day of the week and make it even better.
Pull a conversation starting shirt over your head, accept you’ll need to be vulnerable in the workplace.
Dress it
Wear a funky shirt every Friday to help lighten the mood.
Check it
With yourself and how you’re feeling first.
speak it
Use the funky shirt as a fun way to start meaningful conversations.
feel it
Be honest in your conversations by acknowledging how you’re really feeling.
own it
Own those feelings.
hold it
Hold space for the other person to do the same, only if they feel like it.
watch it
Observe how your actions help others become more comfortable doing the same.
repeat it
Have an epic Friday, practice some self care on the weekend & repeat.
Get talking
You can either hold a TIACS fundraiser or donate.
TIACS wouldn’t be able exist without the help of its wonderful community.
With your help, TIACS can continue to provide free mental health support to tradies, truckies, rural and blue collar workers and those that care about them.
get ya mates or workplace involved
The third way to get involved in Funky Shirt Fridays and make a difference is to kit out the team or workplace with funky workshirts. Deck the team out in your funky workwear provider of choice.
We recommend TradeMutt, but any funky workshirt will do.
How can Funky Shirt Fridays impact your workplace?
CARPENTARIA SHIRE COUNCIL
“Sharing this message lets people know they’re not alone, but I’ve also realised it’s hard for people who haven’t experienced a mental illness to understand.”
Blue Dog’s Funky Shirt Friday
“At the heart of Funky Shirt Friday is a powerful message: fostering real connections through conversation. These colourful shirts serve as conversation starters, encouraging us to engage in meaningful exchanges with those around us.”
Ready to get involved?
Throw on a funky shirt this Friday, talk to your mates about it and start conversations about blue-collar mental health. It can be a TradeMutt shirt or any funky workshirt.