Justin Bland hopes to bring mental health out of the shadows

Hoping to start a conversation around mental health is what a local food vendor is hoping to achieve while serving Townsville.

HOPING to start a conversation around mental health is what a local food vendor is hoping to achieve while serving Townsville.

Mangiamo food truck owner Justin Bland is now sporting a colourful apron designed by TradeMutt Workwear.

The brightly printed clothing and accessories are designed as a ‘social impact fashion’ brand started by two tradies looking to reduce the rate of male suicide in Australia.

Mangiamo Food Truck owner Justin Bland will be wearing TradeMutt Grill Skirts to help start conservations about mental health. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Bland said adopting the new uniform was a way to encourage Townsville to bring mental health out of the shadows.

“When I saw TradeMutt and what they do and represent, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved with,” he said.

“The clothing line is a conversation starter and I thought I have a lot of direct exposure with people while serving so the aprons are right in your face.”

Mr Bland said the response from his customers had been “fabulous”.

“I have experienced suicide through my job in the hospitality industry over the years and it is tough knowing that if that person had spoken up it could have been a different outcome,” he said.

“I have suffered from mental health before and it makes it easier to talk to people about it whether it be friends, my family or customers.”

Mangiamo Food Truck owner Justin Bland will be wearing TradeMutt Grill Skirts to help start conservations about mental health. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Originally published as Justin Bland hopes to bring mental health out of the shadows