Free phone and text mental health counselling service This is a Conversation Starter (TIACS) has released its first-ever annual impact report, revealing strides have been made to break down mental health barriers in Australia’s transport industry.
The report comes a year after a conversation with the team at Martins Stock Haulage that led the operator to introducing a custom TradeMutt ‘Razzle Dazzle’ print to its fleet in order to spark mental health conversations and promote TIACS.
Since rolling out, the truck has clocked up 275,000 kilometres as a moving billboard on B-double and road train routes nationwide. Its striking design has become a powerful symbol of awareness and support, particularly in smaller and remote towns where access to mental health services is often limited.
One driver at the heart of the initiative is Aaron, who pilots the brightly wrapped truck, named Muttley, alongside his best mate – a Blue Heeler named Rocco.
“Life on the road can be incredibly lonely when you’re hundreds of miles from home, stuck with your thoughts,” Aaron says.
“Having my dog with me helps, but I know not everyone has that. That’s why what TIACS is doing is so important – it takes away the barriers that stop people in our industry from getting help. It gives blokes and women someone to talk to when they need it most.”
MORE OWNERDRIVER TRENDING STORIES:
- Inside magnificent Casino’s 2025 triumph
- Elphinstone founder reaches the Wall of Fame
- QMR welcomes statement DAF
- Transtar Linehaul the latest operator to enter administration
- TOTM: McNaughts adorns Scania with visionary visor
The impact is already being felt across the industry. According to TIACS’ FY25 Annual Impact Report:
- 19 per cent of all clients came from the Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector – second only to construction.
- A total of 682 counselling sessions were delivered to people in the transport sector, with 76 per cent male and 24 per cent female, and apprentices making up nine per cent.
- Relationship concerns were the leading reason for reaching out, followed by anxiety/stress, workplace challenges, communication and conflict, suicidal thoughts and emotional crisis and financial, housing stress and grief.
- The majority of clients were aged 26–45, with Queensland leading uptake at 46 per cent – reflecting the concentration of drivers and mechanics in the state.
The report also showed that 63 per cent of all clients lived in regional or remote areas, proving the value of initiatives like Martins’ “Razzle Dazzle” truck in spreading awareness where it’s needed most.
TradeMutt’s conversation-starting prints are making a real difference, with 17 per cent of clients hearing about TIACS through TradeMutt, 17 per cent through family and friends and 28 per cent from workplace and alliance partners – evidence of the ripple effect these initiatives create.
TIACS says Martins’ leadership has also inspired others. In 2025, Mack Trucks joined the movement with the launch of Barkley the Truck, wrapped in its own Mack x TradeMutt print and unveiled at the Brisbane Truck Show.
Together, operators, manufacturers and advocacy groups are uniting behind a common goal: to normalise mental health conversations in transport and ensure support is never out of reach.
“It takes real courage to open up, especially in an industry where the culture often tells you to ‘just get on with it,’” TIACS CEO Sue Jankovic says.
“But every time someone reaches out, it chips away at the silence and barriers that have kept people from seeking support for too long. The transport industry is showing that when we start the conversation, change follows.
“We want to express our deep appreciation to Martin’s and Mack Trucks for their exemplary approach to raising awareness about the value of TIACS and the importance that one conversation can make. Their commitment and partnership are truly valued, and together we are making a real difference.”
For any Blue Collar workers or their loved ones, please know that you can contact TIACS on 0488 846 988 (Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm AEST).
Subscribe to the weekly Owner//Driver newsletter here.