HALT sticker campaign reaches workers having a crap day
In the spirit of reaching men in places that men like to frequent, Hope Assistance Local Tradies has launched a sticker campaign on the back of portable toilets.
The stickers contain a simple message, ‘You don’t need to go through this sh*t alone’ and invites the sitting member to contact HALT about hosting an event in their workplace or TAFE.
There is a QR code which, when scanned (and everyone is better at this following COVID-19 scanning-in protocols), brings up a list of HALT resources under a variety of topics such as:
- Need to talk
- Support for young people
- LGBTQI+
- Gambling and addiction
- Family violence and sexual assault
To support the campaign, HALT produced a 90-second black and white film depicting a tradie who is struggling under the pressure of life and work.
“We've had lots of interest and enquiries about the stickers, mailed a lot out and we're also handing them out at events where we speak,” says HALT founder Jeremy (Jez) Forbes, who has a supporting role in the sticker video.
Jez was interviewed about the stickers by Aussie actor and comedian Shane Jacobson, who is involved in a new local campaign around Macedon in Victoria’s central ranges, promoting barbershops as a safe place for men to openly talk about what’s going on in their lives, while getting some grooming.
Cut the Silence
Cut the Silence addresses the stigma around mental health and suicide, and challenges stereotypes and barriers to men seeking help.
A local resident, Shane is interviewing local celebrities about their own experiences with mental health as a way of promoting Cut the Silence.
Jez says HALT is also planning to deliver a new training program to barbers in the region called ‘Conversations 4 Life’.
HALT’s main focus has been tradies, and providing men with tools to have tough conversations about mental health to support their mates when they’re going through challenging times.
The organisation’s famous ‘Save Your Bacon’ brekkies and other events are delivered in person or online to tradies in their workplaces, hardware stores, sporting clubs, Men’s Sheds, TAFE’s and emergency services across Australia.
If you or your organization would like a HALT Portaloo sticker, email Jez at [email protected]
Barbershops can become involved in the Cut the Silence campaign by emailing [email protected]
In order to take part, Barbershops will be required to display the Cut the Silence logo sticker in their window and attend a three-hour, face-to-face SafeTALK training session in the Macedon Ranges.
They will also be expected to promote the campaign on social media business channels, and in return will receive co-branded Cut the Silence staff t-shirts and other merchandise. A $100 reimbursement will be provided for each staff taking time out to attend the SafeTALK training session. They will come away with invaluable training on how to have safe conversations with someone who might be having suicidal thoughts.