Two blokes and a warehouse of brilliantly bright workwear are trying to tackle the scourge of suicide in the construction industry one shirt at a time.

After losing a close mate to suicide Dan Allen teamed up with good mate Ed Ross to start Trade Mutts, a social enterprise workwear company by tradies for tradies. 

The business sells colourful shirts which act as conversation starters and break the silence on suicide.

 “We make funky, eye-catching work shirts designed to start conversations that cut below the surface level bullshit.”

“We donate 50 per cent of our profits to TIACS, a professional mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, farmers, and blue-collar workers that’s completely free,” Mr Ross said,

The counselling service is needed more than ever.

Construction workers are more likely to die by suicide than in workplace accidents, and they are twice as likely to die from suicide than a white-collar worker.

Ed Ross said there’s increased awareness of the issue but has urged trade workers in 2025 to get information about the help available before they or their mates need it.

“Call TIACS or text it and understand how to service works so whenever you require it in the future or if you know someone and it may need it you’ve already taken that first step and understood how it works so you can easily pass that on, that’s the most important thing.”

 “It’s a professional mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, farmers and blue-collar workers that provides its service free of charge. 

“It’s open Monday to Friday 8 am to 10 pm and the big point of difference is you speak to the same counsellor through your journey so you’re not repeating a story over and over again.” 

The counselling service provided more than 600 counselling sessions in the first quarter of this financial year – more than 400 people with 76 per cent from men.

At the launch of The Good Builder, Director Peter Love said the publication will work with industry and charities to shine a spotlight on suicide in the construction industry. 

“There are too many builders and construction workers dying from suicide, at much greater rate than other workers, and we want to see that change,” Mr Love said.

Help is available – Lifeline Australia is available 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. 

TIACS is free for all blue-collar workers and their loved ones. Text or call 0488 846 988.

You can contact Dan and Ed at Trade Mutt at www.trademutt.com

Author: The Good Builder

The Good Builder is a media platform that provides news and insights for Australia’s home building industry. From exclusive stories and curated insights to bold industry perspectives, we deliver the news and updates that keep builders, suppliers, and the entire home building industry inspired and ahead of the curve.