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Healthy Heads launches landmark transport mental health research

The new research will result in an industry report analysing the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s transport sector

Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds has announced the launch of a new three-year industry-wide research initiative into the mental health and wellbeing of Australian transport, warehousing and logistics workers.

The new initiative comes courtesy of a collaboration with leading workplace mental health not-for-profit SuperFriend.

The project, supported by GT Insurance, will provide critical data insights into the sector, supporting SuperFriend’s Thriving Workplace Index that delivers data, year-on-year benchmarking and actionable insights.

The program will offer a valuable look into the state of workplace mental health across the supply chain workforce, while also assessing the effectiveness of Healthy Heads’ existing programs and resources. These insights will inform strategic planning and long-term impact measurement, strengthening our Foundation’s evidence-based approach.

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Healthy Heads director of industry relations and program management Melissa Weller says the research marks a pivotal moment for the sector.

“Since 2020, Healthy Heads has developed practical, accessible resources and programs to support mental health in our industry. Now is the time to understand the real impact we’re having and to take the next step in driving measurable change,” Weller says.

This research will provide a deeper understanding of the current state of the industry, highlighting key challenges, pressures and effective supports, enabling Healthy Heads to make more informed, targeted decisions around best-practice mental health initiatives and resources.

The research will follow a three-year cycle, with the first survey scheduled to open in February 2026. Industry stakeholders will be actively engaged to encourage broad participation, ensuring a rich and representative data set. The first full report will be delivered in November 2026 and shared with the industry in early 2027.

The report will also feature the inaugural Transport Wellbeing Index, strategic insights from SuperFriend, and forward-looking recommendations for Healthy Heads initiatives.

SuperFriend chief mental health advisor Dr Natalie Flatt views the positive shift in industry attitudes toward mental health as the perfect opportunity to introduce this project.

“The growing readiness for conversation shows that stigma reduction initiatives are working. Now is the time to build on that momentum – to focus on what will be truly impactful in supporting this industry’s people and creating workplaces where mental health and wellbeing can genuinely thrive,” Flatt says.

The research project was officially launched at the 2025 Healthy Heads Industry Forum in Melbourne on October 22. This annual event brings together industry stakeholders to collaborate on current challenges in psychological health and safety, explore sector trends through a facilitated Think Tank, and shape Healthy Heads’ strategic direction.

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