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The mental health counselling service that you tell your mates about

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Menu
  • Free Counselling
    • How tiacs works
    • Getting Support
  • Our Partners
    • Partnerships
    • The TIACS Alliance
    • Legends of TIACS
  • Get Involved
    • Join the Alliance
    • Become A Legend
    • Fundraise
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Impact
    • Our Board
    • Our Latest News
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FAQs

FAQs

Counselling FAQs

What does TIACS mean? TIACS stands for THIS IS A CONVERSATION STARTER

TIACS is a non for profit organisation providing free mental health support Australia
wide. TIACS has a mission to start conversations surrounding mental health among Australia’s blue-collar communities and provides free and accessible phone/txt counselling support.

Are you linked to TradeMutt?

Sure are.
TradeMutt is a social impact workwear brand, by tradies for tradies. They make funky eye-catching work wear designed to start conversations about mental health among the blue collar community, helping make an invisible issue impossible to ignore. Supporting TradeMutt enables them to fund TAICS, by donating 50% of their profits directly to us! So, TradeMutt is all about starting conversations and TIACS is all about continuing the conversation.

What does TIACS offer?

TIACS offers free, confidential, and accessible counselling both over the phone and text to truckies, tradies, blue collar workers and those that care about them. TIACS removes the physical and financial barriers that prevent blue collar Australians from accessing the help they need and deserve. We offer up to 8 counselling sessions for blue collar people with the same counsellor.

Why are the sessions maxed at 8?

Each client has individual needs but if more than 8 sessions are required it may mean that you need additional support from a different type of professional. If that’s the case, we will work with you to refer you to an appropriate service in your area.

Can I get help if I’m not blue collar?

At TIACS we won’t turn anyone away. We provide support of up to 2 counselling sessions where we provide information and resources and connect people to the right service they may need.

What are your operating hours?

We operate between 8am to 10pm AEST Monday to Friday. We are closed on public holidays.

What can I expect when I call/text TAICS?

First you will hear/see an automated introduction and confidentiality statement. One of counsellors will respond via text/call. If our counsellors are all on calls then you will be invited to leave a voice message/text and we will respond as soon as possible.

The counsellor will undertake, what we call an intake process, where we spend some time getting to know you and what your initial needs are. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about things and that’s ok we’ll go at your pace. We’ll also need some basic information (name, post code, occupation) so we can check how many future sessions to provide and lastly, we’ll talk about how we protect your privacy and informed consent.

Once we’ve had the initial yarn with you, we will book your next appointment with your counsellor who will stay connected to you throughout your sessions. Before each of your appointments your counsellor will text you to confirm the booking.

How long will it be before I get an appointment?

Normally within a week or if we have cancellations, right there and then.

What happens if I need to cancel?

We understand that life is busy and things happen so you never need to feel guilty about cancelling. Either let us know when another session would best suit or get back to us again when you can.

I have trouble expressing what’s going on, can I text?

Yes, text counselling works in the same way, we book you into an appointment time and we text you to start the session

Why is it free and how come I don't need a care plan or Medicare card?

Funding a free mental health support service can be costly and we cannot do it on our own. This is where our Alliance Partnership Program allows TIACS to be free and sustainable and meet the increasing demand for our service. TIACS receives funding from individuals and businesses in the industry. Their commitment and support is what allows us to be able to offer free counselling.

We are not funded by government. All our current funding is “by industry for industry”

Are your counsellors volunteers?

All TIACS counsellors are appropriately qualified professionals and meet self-regulating industry standards (i.e ACA/PACFA). We pride ourselves in only recruiting people with the right fit and skills and we value and invest deeply in our team to ensure quality of care to them and our clients.

Are you like Lifeline and Beyond Blue?

These services are open 24 hours and support people who call in crisis. At TIACS we offer counselling services for people who need support from a professional counsellor to explore solutions and opportunities to connect more frequently about their needs.

If I already see a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist can I access care?

Give TIACS a call and we will assess your situation. If you are seeing more than one mental health professional it’s important, we understand the type of support you are receiving so our work is complimentary.

Alliance FAQs

How long does it take to become a member?

Once your organisation has made the decision to jump onboard and support TIACS, the rest is pretty quick and easy. Make contact with our TIACS team and we can have you onboarded within a few weeks.

What are the benefits of becoming a member?

The biggest benefit your contribution makes is achieving greater impact in addressing mental health, in the blue collar industries. It also means we’re working together, collaboratively so our reach is wider as our networks connect right across Australia. Each of the Alliance tiers have individual benefits which we can share, all you have to do is fill in the Alliance enquiry form and we will get in touch.

How do I donate, support or get involved

Easy click here for making a donation or to learn more about the Alliance, fill in the Alliance enquiry form here.

What's the Return on investment if I donate?

Every $1 that is contributed by our Alliance Partners is returned back into the community at market value services at $2.01. In a nutshell that’s over double the contribution.

How much of what I donate goes directly to care?

It’s roughly about 75% we operate as lean as we can and utilise businesses that want to pay for setting up our infrastructure so your donation goes to paying the counsellors.

Is the Alliance Partner contribution tax deductible?

Sure is, TIACS is a registered charity with DGR status so every $2 donated is tax deductible.

As an Alliance Partner can I promote the service within our organisation and to our customers?

Go for it! One of the major benefits of being an Alliance Partner is the opportunity to promote this free service to those in your workplace and beyond. One of the major ways we will continue to get the message out there about TIACS is through our Alliance Partners.

Section

Information Management

Standard

Information Management – Client Records

Document Identification

ICT-IM-CR1

Type

Guideline

Approved by

CEO

Approved on

31st August 2022

Review Date

31st August 2023

Document location

Website FAQ__Information Management – Client Records_final.docx – Google Docs

 

Interested in joining the Alliance?

We couldn’t do it without your help. Simply fill out the form to your right and we’ll be in touch via email to have a chat. Thanks for the support legend!
Join now

Support Line 0488 846 988
Text at any time or call Mon-Fri | 8am-10pm AEST

For other enquiries please email admin@tiacs.org
(administration support only)

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This is A Conversation Starter Pty Ltd is an endorsed charitable institution by the Australian Taxation office,
donations over $2 are tax deductible ABN 58631207031

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Interested in becoming a Legend?

We couldn’t do it without your help. Simply fill out the form to your right and we’ll be in touch via email to have a chat. Thanks for the support legend!

Interested in joining the Alliance?

We couldn’t do it without your help. Simply fill out the form to your right and we’ll be in touch via email to have a chat. Thanks for the support legend!

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Get in touch with us on 0488 846 988

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