Looking After Your Drivers: Mental Health In The Lorry Cab

Most fleet managers of haulage companies are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to maintaining the health of their workforce. From regular eye checks to supporting drivers with more serious illnesses, a fleet manager’s work is never done. However, how much attention do you pay to your drivers’ mental health? Today we discuss the importance of good mental health and take a look at how Ford’s new initiative is raising the profile of this important subject in the industry.

The Elephant in the Transit

Ford’s excellently named initiative ‘Elephant in the Transit’ was launched in partnership with the charity-run campaign Time to Change. The project is targeted particularly at men, as statistically they are less likely to open up about an issue to friends, family or colleagues.

The campaign has released a film that presents the cab of a truck as a safe place to talk. Research has shown that over two-thirds of people feel more comfortable opening up and talking when in a vehicle. Odd as it might seem, a truck is an ideal place to ask people how they are feeling, so Ford are hoping haulage companies will respond well to the initiative.The motor giant wants to use its significant position in the industry to encourage as many people as possible to ask the simple question: ‘Is everything OK?’

Why is it ‘Time to Change’?

A quarter of all UK residents will experience mental health problems during their life and, sadly, young men are particularly vulnerable. Around a third of men generally said they would be happy to talk openly about their feelings, but a third also said that they would be embarrassed about asking for help with things like feelings of depression or anxiety.

With so many men experiencing mental health problems, but feeling unable or embarrassed to talk to anyone about it, this campaign is perfectly timed to address the taboo on men opening up about their feelings.

What Can You Do?

Ford has put together a list of five simple actions that can assist colleagues of those struggling with mental health problems to reach out and offer help.

1.    Reach Out: simply send a text or call

2.    Arrange a Meeting: find a good time and place to get together in an informal way

3.    Go for Coffee: pick a casual, relaxed environment to meet

4.    Listen: have a chat and listen without judgment

5.    Don’t Change: treat your colleagues the same after they have confided in you.

Although these tips can work well for everyone, fleet managers can and should do more. You can train your employees to take more time to consider their colleagues’ behaviour and be receptive, not dismissive, of a friend opening up about their struggles with anxiety or depression. Authority figures working in any sized haulage companies can make it clear that those suffering will not be punished and will receive understanding and support.

Is it time to consider changing your company’s policy on dealing with poor mental health among drivers? Is it time to deal with the elephant in the transit?

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage companies or self-employed drivers with jobs in road transport and haulage work.Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.