MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

The TWU has been campaigning for a number of years to improve the mental health of truck drivers.

The declining mental health of transport workers and the alarmingly high rates of suicide in the industry should be an indication that something drastic needs to change now.

Key representatives of the transport industry in WA, the Transport Workers’ Union of Western Australia (TWU WA) and the Western Roads Federation (WRF) supported by the WA State Government and both national and WA employers, are preparing to pilot a peer support program for transport workers to counteract this trend.

Ultimately, this program aims to reduce the number of suicides occurring in the transport industry.

Steering Healthy Minds is a peer-to-peer support program that involves training key personnel in mental health first aid to provide the tools to recognise declining or poor mental health in the workplace.

The WA model will further provide support in the education of employees about the importance of mental health.

The benefits of peer-to-peer mental health initiatives have been well recognised, and the tools learned through mental health first aid have been internationally accepted as the standard for delivering peer support. Especially in the transport industry, where all the hallmarks of deteriorating mental health is clear. An isolating work environment, loss of communication in remote areas, fatigue and exhaustion and poor nutrition are all categorised as risk factors that lead towards unsustainable work practises and contribute to poor mental health.

Not to mention the transport industry is the most common form of employment for Australian men, with men being known to be at the greatest risk of dying by suicide, but quite often are least likely to seek help. The transport industry is also the deadliest and truck drivers are often the first to come across the scene of a road crash. Being first on scene, assisting, witnessing, being involved in, or causing a crash, can have a long-lasting impact on those directly and indirectly involved, including family, friends, and work colleagues. discuss mental health issues or concerns openly and without fear of reprisal, in the same manner as physical injuries.

Promoting - Providing information, promotional material, and support to workers who may experience mental health concerns.

Supporting - Providing support to organisations to establish peer to peer mental health programs for workers including training mental health workers and encouraging publicity of their availability.

The importance of peer support, especially of those who had experienced a similar event, is a fundamental source of support after a traumatic event.

The utilisation of peer-to-peer support programs to address mental health issues is not a new one. Mates in Construction (MIC) has been in operation for over 10 years, providing much needed support to men and women in the construction industry.

A large-scale efficacy study of MIC found that those who participated in the program, were overwhelmingly positive toward the training provided and felt prepared and informed, were they required to intervene with a person experiencing suicidal ideations.

The Steering Healthy Minds program will encourage these three pillars of support for those suffering:

Normalising - Talking about mental health and encouraging people to

The TWU is a part of launching this program aimed at providing peer to peer support training for identified leaders in the workplace, starting with a number of strategically chosen pilot sites. The ultimate goal of such a program is to educate both employees and employers to recognise warning signs, and to remove the stigma that often surrounds discussions on the topic with the result of reducing the number of deaths by suicide amongst transport workers. Thanks to the McGowan State Government for getting behind this pilot and supporting Steering Healthy Minds. This topic can be confronting, if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you do not have to do it alone. There are many people and organisations that want to help you. These contacts can help in a crisis or just lend an ear, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Beyondblue | 1300 22 4636

Lifeline | 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467

If you’d like to learn more, or want to pilot the program at your workplace, you can contact WA representatives of the Steering Healthy Minds program at https://www.steeringhealthyminds.com.au/