Mental health in transport and logistics: Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds

Transport and logistics industry leaders were concerned about stubbornly low mental health results in their industry, reflecting the long hours and work pressures workers face. Existing efforts focused on recovery and tended to be locally based. Industry leaders were looking for a national approach that prevented mental health problems arising in the first place. 

To address the situation, companies, regulators and unions collaborated to develop a ‘by industry for industry’ solution – Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds. The initiative has 3 core activities: 

• training people in the industry, drawing on existing resources as well as partnering with mental health leaders to address any gaps 
• standardising regulations and policies across the country, including developing a certification and self-assessment process 
• improving the mental and physical wellbeing of workers.  

Awareness around mental health in the industry has increased substantially since the initiative was launched. As well as improving outcomes for workers, the initiative improves economic outcomes for companies.    

The Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds initiative highlights some key lessons for others: 

• Be clear about what you want to achieve and how you can align with existing efforts. 
• Be open and transparent, to better engage with your target audience and allay any concerns about a new initiative.  
• Adequately resource any initiative to maintain momentum.  
• Find people who are genuinely passionate about the cause.  

“We had a group of people … who care very passionately about mental health across the industry.”

Naomi Frauenfelder, Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds CEO