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Transport industry mental health group launches roadmap

Document examines crisis within industry and offers solutions

Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds (HHTS) has released its National Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadmap 2021-2024.

Designed for the road transport, warehousing, and logistics industries, the roadmap – along with the HHTS foundation – seeks to help industry leaders, managers, business owners and workers tackle industry-specific challenges regarding mental health and wellbeing.

Said to be created for industry by industry, it provides a unified plan for improving mental health and wellbeing right across the sector, driven by a ‘Prevention, Protection, Support’ framework, with seven core workplace strategies including:

  • Build leadership capability
  • Increase awareness
  • Build a better workplace culture
  • Smarter work design
  • Build resilience & coping skills
  • Promote early intervention
  • Support recovery.

HHTS notes it will coordinate implementation of the three-year roadmap strategy across all levels of the sector, from small to large enterprises.


T&L’s mental health crisis and the road to recovery, here


“We want to change the conversation around mental health in the transport and logistics industry and begin treating mental wellbeing as importantly as physical wellbeing,” foundation chair Paul Graham, who is also the new Australia Post CEO, says.

“In launching the Roadmap, we’re acknowledging we need a shared starting point to improve the collective mental health and wellbeing of our industry.

“This Roadmap sets out the plan for us all to rally behind and supports us in knowing where to go next.”

The development of the roadmap has been funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR’s) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the federal government via $600,000 funding.

“Our nation’s truck drivers and logistics workers are vital to Australian communities and the economy,” federal transport minister Michael McCormack says.

“Improving mental health and wellbeing, right across industry, right across Australia, is needed now more than ever.”

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the NHVR is proud to partner with HHTS to deliver the roadmap across all levels of the supply chain.

“The heavy vehicle industry is extremely resilient, but we need to continue to work together across the whole supply chain to ensure our workers feel supported and know they’re being heard when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing,” Petroccitto says.

Assistant minister for freight transport Scott Buchholz says it is important that workers in the transport, freight and logistics industry had the support and tools they needed to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Truck drivers, those in the transport industry and across the freight logistics supply chain keep our shelves stocked and supplies moving.

“It is important we provide people in the industry with the support they need, to have happier, healthier lives.

“I congratulate the NHVR and Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds on the important work they are doing.”

The roadmap is free and available here.

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