Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds

Over the past couple of decades, the conversation about mental health in the workplace has shifted from being a taboo topic to one of importance, with discussions actively encouraged.

Australian workplaces now recognise the importance of good mental health amongst their staff, as evidenced by the universal success of the Are You OK? Day campaign.

One automotive industry with an abnormally high percentage of its workforce suffering from mental health conditions is the freight and logistics industry.

With a growing number of logistics companies becoming MTA members, and most other members relying on the services of logistics in some form or another, it is important to bring the issue to the attention of all members.

According to recent data, a staggering 44.8% of all truck drivers, distribution centre and warehouse staff, and other related road transport workers experience a mental health condition at some point during their career.

38.2% of these workers stated that their workplace caused the condition or made it worse.

Drivers with depression are seven times more likely to be involved in a crash than those without.

These statistics are frightening, but there is hope.

The Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation (https://www.healthyheads.org.au/) was established to directly combat these statistics.

The relatively new not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2020, was designed with the sole purpose of combatting these statistics, and changing the narrative of mental health amongst industry workers across Australia.

The initiative is a membership service, whereby businesses and individuals who choose to join are given access to tools and guidelines to address issues in their workplace, as well as webinars, valuable information, and more.

Membership to this organisation is free, allowing all in the logistics industry access to this important service.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the membership is its ability to act as a conversation starter in workplaces across Australia, igniting action after long overdue conversations about the mental health and wellbeing of industry workers.

Starting these discussions can be difficult. The ‘when’ and ‘how’ of these conversations is unique to each workplace.

The MTA Workplace Relations team is always on hand to answer your questions and provide guidance on the topic to any and all members.

Although the Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation offers advice and services to aid in combatting poor mental health in the workplace, people seeking immediate help, no matter how big or small their issue, should contact one of the services below:

BEYOND BLUE

1300 22 4636 | Visit Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

LIFELINE

13 11 14 | Visit Lifeline https://www.lifeline.org.au/

MENSLINE AUSTRALIA

1300 78 99 78 | Visit MensLine Australia https://mensline.org.au/

Membership to this organisation is free, allowing all in the logistics industry access to this important service.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the membership is its ability to act as a conversation starter in workplaces across Australia, igniting action after long overdue conversations about the mental health and wellbeing of industry.