Australia’s largest independent rural retailing group, CRT has announced a $90,000 partnership with national mental health charity, TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter). 

TIACS’ free phone and text service offers mental health support to Australia’s blue-collar community, from tradies and truckies to rural communities and people working in agriculture – with the CRT partnership marking the organisation's first platinum alliance with an Australian rural retail business.  

TIACS co-chief executive Jason Banks said TIACS removes physical and financial barriers previously preventing farmers, and rural communities from accessing the kind of professional support to better handle challenges life throws at all of us.

Born through the realisation there are too many barriers to free mental health support TIACS provides a one-off chat or ongoing counselling sessions without a GP referral.  

"Our vision is to be the mental health support service that people tell their mates about," Mr Banks says.  

“We’re fully funded by industry, for industry, offering the greatest quality of care from professional counsellors who are trained to support farmers and the rural communities.” 

With more than 290 stores across Australia, CRT has a continuing commitment to supporting the communities in which they operate, playing vital roles in a wide variety of community initiatives, events, and organisations.  

Head of independents at Nutrien Ag Solutions Rebecca Gay said, by joining the TIACS Alliance, CRT acknowledges the important role agricultural service providers have in raising awareness of mental health services available to rural and farming communities.  

“Our member stores are an important part of the communities they serve. 

“CRT owners and team members see firsthand the unique challenges faced by farmers and rural communities, and are proud to be part of the solution when it comes to starting a conversation and making a meaningful impact on the mental health and wellbeing of our community.

“CRT is proud to be TIACS’ first rural retail Platinum Alliance partner and to be raising awareness of the important, free service TIACS makes available to farmers, the ag industry and rural communities,” Ms Gay said.