Professional Drivers Mental Health

Did you know that 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health problem each year in Australia? What’s more, professional drivers have been identified as a high-risk group when it comes to mental health. And overall, the number of reported cases is on the rise.

There’s been progress in recent years, but some people are still not comfortable talking about this issue. We talk readily about our physical health, so why should mental health be any different? We hope the information in this poster might help to start a conversation.

 

 

Mental Health at work – a few facts

  • A total of 3.2 days per worker are lost each year in Australia through workplace stress*
  • Productivity is one of the biggest challenges facing the economy today – reducing absence from work due to mental health issues benefits the whole of society
  • Your workplace environment can cause stress – or it can make the stress you already have much worse
  • It’s reckoned that 95% of people who call in sick due to stress often cite a different reason

*Australian Human Rights Commission website

Why are professional drivers a high-risk group?

  • Drivers work in an unpredictable environment, with outside pressures such as traffic, delivery deadlines, noise and more, all disrupting the working day
  • The ‘average’ driver’s lifestyle has many features that increase risk:
    –   Lots of time sitting down (finding time for proper exercise can be really hard)
    –   Often poor diet (it can be tempting to rely on fast food on the go)
    –   Lack of regular, quality sleep (and fatigue is reckoned to be a factor in 20% of road collisions)
    –   Long periods on your own (loneliness is the top mental health issue reported by drivers)
  • The majority of professional drivers are male – and men are slower to seek help about mental health issues

 

REMEMBER

  • Don’t wait to do something about mental health. The sooner you address an issue, the faster things can get better. And simple, small changes can make a big difference
  • Talking to colleagues or your manager about mental health can be difficult, but it’s really important. Make some notes beforehand. Once people know that you’re having a tough time, they can help – and you will find that people want to

 

For an immediate stress-reducer during a tough day, consider simple breathing exercises. Look up the “4-7-8 breath” – try it, and see how quickly you feel so much more calm.

Tips for drivers

If you’re at all concerned about your own mental health, consider the following simple and widely used approach

5 Steps to Wellbeing

1. Connect
Social relationships are a crucial ingredient in your mental health – reach out and talk to people, and really listen

2. Be active
Regular exercise and good physical health will boost your mental health. It doesn’t have to be intense, but make it a habit

3. Take notice
Be aware of all the little things happening in the world around you. As a driver, you have a constantly changing view. Enjoy it!

4. Keep learning
Keep your brain active. Read during your break or do a puzzle. And what better place than the cab of a vehicle to learn a new language?

5. Give
Doing something good for other people really is good for the soul. People who say they like helping others also tend to rate themselves as happy

 

*New Economics Foundation

Tips for employers

  • Promote openness about mental health. Displaying this poster might help to get people talking about it. Start the conversation
  • Make sure people take breaks. You already observe the laws that govern the road transport industry, but go one step further – seek to ensure that your people are getting proper, quality downtime
  • Routinely monitor the mental health and wellbeing of your staff. Scheduling regular 1-2-1s can be tricky when your drivers are on the road, but make this a priority, and include open questions (such as “How are you feeling?”) as part of the conversation
  • Ensure that all staff know who they can go to (not just their line manager) for a confidential chat

Seeking help

If you need help with your own mental health, or you’re concerned about a friend or a colleague, there are many resources out there. Here are just a few you might consider:

 

  • MindSpot – an online assessment and treatment service for anxiety and depression, backed by the Australian Government www.mindspot.org.au
  • Beyond Blue – a national service providing information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health www.beyondblue.org.au
  • Sane Australia – a national charity working to support 4 million Australians affected by complex mental illness www.sane.org
  • Samaritans – a safe place to talk, any time you like, about whatever’s getting to you www.thesamaritans.org.au  (or call 135 247)
Disclaimer
This information was prepared with the support of the UK-based mental health organisation Mindful Employer® – www.mindfulemployer.net It has been prepared as a guide only and should not be taken as an authoritative document. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Driver Hire Australia Pty Ltd and its associated companies accept no liability for any errors or omissions.