Western Roads Federation –Mental Health in Transport matters

Ispend most of my week on the phone talking to people at all levels of the Western Australian Transport Industry.

These calls range from the usual industry issue discussion, from specific issues of concern through to their frustration and needing somewhere to vent.

I don’t take the venting calls personally; they are never intended that way it’s just that people at all levels of the transport industry are tired and jaded. And I am happy to take those calls, because it’s better to let rip the frustration than let it build up. PS I am not a professional mental health person, but I can listen.

It is understandable ‘why’ people in our states Transport Industry are tired and jaded.

You and the rest of our Industry have carried Western Australia through COVID-19, East-West Rail wash out and through the on-going post COVID-19 staff and driver shortages, fuel prices, spare parts and Equipment Shortages and price escalations.

All the time trying to service WA Customers especially business customers who are equally jaded by similar issues.

All of that ultimately leads to the sense of being tired and jaded.

So that is why a focus on Mental Health in our industry is so important.

I was very proud to help launch Blue Truck George on Friday 14 Oct, to help raise awareness of Mental Health in the WA construction transport sector and the broader WA Transport industry.

Blue Truck George is a fantastic initiative of the Consolidated Group of companies including, Consolidated Group, Consolidated Transport and EK Contracting who are committed to mental health and wellbeing of their employees but also those from the broader Western Australian Transport industry.

Why George? George is an inside joke at Consolidated Group of Companies where

everyone is George. Everyone greets and refers to each other as George.

When new people start the first thing they ask is, “Who is George”, and their answer at Consolidate is everyone.

The colour blue is taken from the lead awareness organisations like the Blue Tree Project and a Truck because it’s the common equipment across all parts of the construction sector.

So Blue Truck George is there to spread the R U OK message.

So, keep a look out for George on the road.

Further supporting great initiatives like Blue Truck George, is Steering Healthy Minds.

This is an initiative of the TWU in WA and is very strongly supported by Western Roads as it is a proven effective program. Mental Health is an industry wide issue and one regardless of our positions we must be united.

Steering Healthy Minds program aims to reduce the number of suicides occurring in the transport industry. Steering Healthy Minds is a peer-to-peer support program that involves training key personnel in mental health first aid to provide the tools to recognise declining or poor mental health in the workplace. The WA model provides further support in the education of employees about the importance of mental health.

The benefits of peer-to-peer mental health initiatives have been well recognised, and the tools learned through mental health first aid have been internationally accepted as the standard for delivering peer support.

Especially in the transport industry, where all the hallmarks of deteriorating mental health are clear. An isolating work environment, loss of communication in remote areas, fatigue and exhaustion and poor nutrition are all categorised as risk factors that lead towards unsustainable work practises and contribute to poor mental health.

To find out more contact the TWU WA or Western Roads Federation

Niomi Hurley Chair of TranSafe WA also runs specialist consulting company (Get Up and Grow Consulting) helping Transport Industry companies.

As she says, “Mental health and wellbeing slides along a spectrum and by doing things to facilitate a healthy mind, we can keep our mental wellbeing at the lower end of the spectrum.

It is a lot harder to try and heal mental health issues than it is to reduce the likelihood of them. Similar to breaking a bone, it is best to be setting your bones up for success rather than wandering around in a cast while they heal.”

Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit. Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004