ATA to run campaign next month to urge truck drivers suffering depression to seek help
September 15, 2009
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) will run a campaign next month urging trucking operators and employees to address anxiety and depression.
The initiative will support Beyond Blue’s Anxiety and Depression Awareness (ADA) Month.
ATA Chairman Trevor Martyn says the association has made depression one of the organisation’s high priorities in recent months to help truck drivers understand the importance of addressing the issue.
“Depression is much more serious than feeling sad every now and then or having a bad day on the road,” Martyn says.
“If you aren’t travelling too well, don’t be embarrassed to have a chat to your doctor. The sooner you recognise you’re not well, the sooner you can get treatment and be on the road to recovery.”
The awareness campaign will include a series of work-place fundraising activities such as ‘wear blue’ days and a push for feature articles in major industry publications.
The ATA has already recommended to the National Transport Commission that depression screening should be included in the medical checkups undertaken by commercial drivers.