In the fast-paced world of transport, warehousing and logistics, where long hours on the road and high-pressure environments are the norm, mental health often takes a back seat. That’s why initiatives like the Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (Healthy Heads) Road Show are so crucial to the industry.
The Road Show is a medium rigid DAF LF, custom-built by Healthy Heads Foundation Partner PACCAR Australia. The truck acts as a mobile resource, travelling from location to location, and allows the Healthy Heads team to connect with and support the mental health and wellbeing of people working in trucking, warehousing and logistics.
However, the Road Show is more than just a mobile resource; it unites individuals working in the industry at all levels and aims to foster a culture where seeking help is not only normalised but actively encouraged at every depot, warehouse and event it visits across Australia.
During each Road Show event, people working in the industry can chat to the Healthy Heads team, learn about mental health and physical wellbeing, receive a free health check (when available) and access resources tailored to their specific needs. These interactions help demystify mental health issues, reduce stigma and empower individuals to take charge of their own wellbeing in the sector that needs this the most.
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This critical need for the logistics sector is supported by findings from Superfriend’s Indicators of a Thriving Workplace Report 2023, which reports that 48 per cent of people working across the transport, postal and warehousing sector say that their workplace caused or made their mental health condition worse. This is an alarming statistic, one which the Road Show addresses head-on by engaging with employers and individuals to promote best practices for supporting mental health in the workplace.
By sharing these practices with employers, it becomes easier for employees to then have the conversations they need to have without fear of judgement from management.
“Your Road Show event allowed a colleague to open up (to management) about how he was feeling while performing light duties due to a work injury,” said an attendee from a 2023 Road Show event. “This opened up the conversation and changes were made to support this worker.”
This is what sets the Road Show apart – reminders that mental health is a shared responsibility. Employers play a critical role in creating an environment that prioritises mental wellbeing, and by engaging in initiatives like the Road Show, they demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ health and happiness. This approach not only enhances individual wellbeing but also fosters a more productive and engaged workforce that is happy to come to work every day.
Another startling statistic that came through the Monash University Driving Health study is that approximately 80 per cent of truck drivers are classified as overweight or obese, which the Road Show works to combat by encouraging people to download the Healthy Heads App. The app is an extremely valuable tool because it provides a snapshot of your wellbeing, walks you through a series of easy-to-do exercises and allows you access to discounted healthier meal choices at participating bp truck stop sites.
“I have the app and have been purchasing from the Choose Healthy & Save Menu at bp,” said another Road Show attendee from 2023. “I’ve actually lost weight while being on the road.”
Road Show events not only support individuals in improving their mental and physical health, but also help businesses do the same for their workforce. If you’re interested in attending a Road Show event, sign up to the Healthy Heads newsletter or visit the ‘Attend a Road Show Event’ page on the Healthy Heads website to learn where the Road Show will be travelling to in 2025.
“The event we held with Road Show was one of the best things we have ever done,” a 2023 Road Show attendee said. “We did not talk about work, just personal stuff. I would encourage you all to do an event with Road Show if you can.”
The Road Show embodies a commitment to mental health and wellbeing in the transport and logistics sector that is sorely needed. By delivering crucial resources, fostering open conversations and building a sense of community, it’s paving the way for a healthier industry. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the modern workforce, initiatives like the Road Show remind us that mental health matters and positive change is only a drive away.
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