CRT Partners with TIACS to Support Rural Mental Health

Australia’s largest independent rural retailing group, CRT has today 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 agribusiness.

“TIACS removes the physical and financial barriers that have prevented farmers, and rural communities from accessing the kind of professional support they need to be able to better handle the challenges that life throws at all of us,” said Jason Banks, TIACS Co-CEO.

Born through the realisation that there were too many barriers to free mental health support for the blue-collar and agricultural communities, 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,” said Jason.

“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 over 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.

“Life on the land is rewarding, however it can often be isolating and unpredictable. Local CRT stores are often a constant touch point for farmers and those working and living in agricultural communities to have conversations about the challenges of life,” said Rebecca Gay, Head of Independents at Nutrien Ag Solutions, CRT’s parent company.

“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 stores see our customers not only as a business transaction but as a mate, and we stand by our mates when they need a helping hand.”

“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,” said Rebecca.