2. HALT, a tweaking of Tradie culture.
Jeremy Forbes, Founder of HALT

3. Origins and expansion of HALT
The Tradie Culture – my experience
Why and how did HALT originate
How do we tweak the Tradie Culture

4. The Tradie culture My experience Why and how did HALT originate
I was an apprentice in Melbourne
Worked on suburban and city sites
I experienced bullying and harassment become part of the culture
I was too afraid to speak out and lose my job
I worried about what people would think
I learnt nothing about mental heath, financial health and relationships at TAFE
A strong sense of community
A suicide of a local tradie
The realisation I wasn’t doing enough to help my fellow tradies
My journey of discovery and how the community supported HALT

5. How do we tweak the Tradie Culture?
Reach out to Tradies where they are comfortable and feel socially included
Breaking through the stigma surrounding mental health
Opening up the conversations
Learning to listen and hear
Give them the tools to help themselves and their mates
Regular educational and awareness raising programs
The use of people with a lived experience

6. HALT event in Kerang

7. HALT’s first event in Castlemaine in 2013
Our first HALT event included people from all parts of the community. Already demonstrating a whole community approach is needed to reduce rates of suicide across Australia.