Is mental health being talked about enough in the haulage industry? Understanding and addressing the mental health challenges faced by haulage drivers and what steps the industry needs to take in order to prevent a wider driver shortage.
Introduction It is thought that in any given week, 1 in 6 people[1] report a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression in England. In recent years, there have been great strides forwards in
Mental health: key statistics
challenging perceptions and stigma surrounding mental health, thanks in no small part to awareness campaigns featuring prominent figures divulging their own experiences and ongoing research. For all the positives, however, there is still some way to go, including within the haulage sector. This whitepaper aims to uncover the unique circumstances that
1 in 6 people report having a common mental health problem in England in any given week
contribute to mental health challenges faced by HGV drivers on the UK’s roads, and whether a reluctance in drivers discussing their mental health is contributing to a wider driver shortage. It will also look to suggest ways in which drivers can maintain positive mental wellbeing while on the road and in particular for drivers that spend long periods of time away from home and loved ones.
Mental health and mental illness: the difference Everyone experiences ‘mental health’ to some degree. Mental illness, however, arises when the effects of poor mental health begin to make it difficult to perform usual tasks. For example,
4 to 10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime [2]
Only 1 in 3 adults with a common mental health problem are currently getting treatment in the form of talking therapies, medication or both. [3]
95% of workers that call in sick due to stress give a different reason to their manager [4]
whilst feeling a little lower than usual is something to be aware of and address, it is not necessarily the same as depression, which is defined as a sustained period of these feelings along with other symptoms While we will not go into the clinical aspects of mental health in this whitepaper, we will aim to help drivers gain a greater awareness of the so-called warning signs in both themselves and in colleagues.
Around four in 10 cases of work-related ill-health in the transportation and storage sector are due to stress, depression or anxiety [5]
What we know about mental health and haulage already The pressures faced by haulage drivers are already well-known; long
In 2023, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) joined Working
days on the road, delivery deadlines, and the physical toll from
Minds in a campaign to encourage drivers to access support for
spending hours in a cab, are all factors that affect a drivers’ wellbeing.
mental health. The initiative, Be A Mate, was delivered in partnership
More recently, however, these have been exacerbated by the Covid-
with Mates in Mind and various charities. One of these, Mind,
19 pandemic and the continuing growth of theft or other crimes
reported that 30% of work-related illness in the transport and
faced by drivers on a daily basis.
logistics sector is due to stress, depression, and anxiety, though this may be higher.
Alarmingly, drivers of HGVs have a 20% higher suicide rate than the national average. 95% of workers that took time off due to stress gave a different reason to their manager. 22 per cent of workers have been diagnosed with a mental health problem, but less than half of that number have told their manager and given a different reason for illness. These figures suggest that for all the awareness campaigns and greater acceptance of mental health generally, haulage still lags behind.
30% of work-related illness in the transport and logistics sector is due to stress, depression, and anxiety.
Lone working and isolation Recent estimates by British Red Cross[8] suggest that there are around eight million lone workers in the UK, accounting for nearly a quarter (22%) of the country’s entire workforce. Technological advancements, along with changes to worker expectations in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, have likely fuelled this trend, but for haulage drivers, it is nothing new. A survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) alluded to a third of lone workers feeling isolated[9] and 50%[10] are unhappy with their work-life balance, both of which are key contributors to low mental health. Covid-19, as has been widely documented, also contributed to worker isolation and home working blurring the line between personal and professional life. During this time, HGV drivers remained on the roads, making an already stressful time all the more challenging
According to The Road Haulage Association (RHA) there are
by being removed from family and friends, and other support
around 305 000 HGV drivers[12] in the UK. By the definition
they might have had.
of a ‘lone worker’, each one falls into this category to some
In much the same way as depression is more than just feeling low, there is a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Time alone can be a positive, yet the removal of social
extent. The unique challenges that drivers encounter in their daily work activities, however, mean that a tailored solution to mental wellbeing is needed.
interaction for an extended period of time can result in feelings of isolation escalating further. There is a need for policies to take into account the mental risks of working alone as well as the physical ones – in fact 85% of workers want their employer to offer mental health support, particularly given fears around the cost-of-living crisis and other global stresses, yet around 40% still do not have access to these resources.[11]
The lasting effects of road traffic collisions By the very nature of their job, HGV drivers are at a greater risk of witnessing, or worse, being involved in serious collisions. Both, as PTSD UK highlight[13] can result in drivers developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms of which can be aggravated by other factors such as poor sleep and low physical exercise, both of which are prevalent throughout the haulage industry.
85% of workers want their employer to offer mental health support
The driving of other road users can have a similar effect, even if the driver is not directly involved themselves. Consider the times you have witnessed a dangerous manoeuvre on the motorway or on the roads in your local area and the emotional response you had; for lorry drivers travelling hundreds of miles daily, these occurrences are far more common and ‘bottling up’ responses to these events can lead to more serious health issues.
Why are drivers uncomfortable talking about mental health? While mental health affects each individual differently, there is a suggestion that the male-dominated nature of haulage is having an influence. Statistically, males are the group more likely to be affected by mental health difficulties, yet are still less likely to seek support. This issue has long been highlighted through various male-focused
The stereotypes around mental health and the support available are
awareness campaigns, with high profile celebrities from sport often
perhaps the main hurdle that haulage needs to overcome. A fear of
championing the importance of professional help for males affected
being perceived as ‘weak’ or a need be ‘macho’ persists amongst
by mental health.
males overall and the unique challenges faced by the haulage sector can exacerbate this stigma further. Another concern, highlighted by
Perhaps a greater challenge specific to haulage is that by its very
PTSD UK, is around medication for mental health, which drivers
nature, drivers are lone workers. Whilst modern vehicle cabs are
fear may inhibit their ability to work[14]. Conversely, alternative
fitted with comfortable beds, small appliances such as kettles and
approaches like counselling are difficult for drivers to access while on
toasters, and improved seating, these measures only go so far. A lack
the road, and the widely reported shortage of mental health services
of social interaction between loved ones and colleagues compounds
generally may also be a factor in drivers being unable to get the help
the issue further. Granted this is not the same for everyone – in fact
they need.
some drivers prefer the solitude – but for others, the stresses of the job can be more difficult to cope with in the absence of a colleague to confide in.
46% of males would be embarrassed or ashamed to tell their employer about their mental health Mental Health UK
The role of managers, planners, and other drivers in supporting mental health Research[15] conducted ahead of the 2023 Time to Talk Day
Factoring in time to check-in with drivers about their wellbeing can
campaign – one of the largest mental health awareness campaigns in
one way of addressing this gap. A five-minute conversation at the
the calendar – found that 3 in 10 individuals would welcome advice
end of the working hours might just be the catalyst for helping an
on how to help someone start a conversation about their mental
individual get the help that they may not necessarily have been able
health. At the same time, the same research highlighted that the cost-
to find. Working both ways, management teams also need the
of-living crisis is having a direct impact on people’s ability to have
necessary awareness training to identify the warning signs that can
such conversations as they do not wish to ‘burden’ others or, perhaps
often be missed.
more concerning, simply cannot afford the activities they have relied
As part of the Be A Mate campaign, a text service opened mental
upon previously. 16% of respondents also stated that they cannot
health support to groups that may not have the confidence to seek
even afford to contact their support network by phone, text, or social
face-to-face help, from wherever they are located. This initiative
media, and 18% feel unable to afford the travel to community
worked alongside other campaigns hosted at truckstop facilities,
support measures.
notably at Moto service stations[16], which encouraged drivers to communicate with each other while using such facilities.
With individuals having to take on extra hours, or a second job in order to make ends meet, time is being seen more of a precious commodity. This is arguably more prevalent in the haulage industry, where every second drivers spend on the road and ‘resting’ is recorded via tachograph. It is easy for drivers and planning teams to become so focused on meeting deadlines and completing deliveries before hours run out that non-work conversations don’t happen. Yet this contributes to a sense of isolation and by extension, may cause mental health to deteriorate further.
What drivers really feel In a survey of our own drivers[17], we found that a third of
Over the course of the last two months, have you been affected by any of
respondents had experienced a greater level of stress and 50%
the following:
reported higher anxiety. The overwhelming majority of respondents believe that there is a lack of safe facilities to rest, and that when they do park up overnight, many either spend time talking with loved ones on Facetime or similar, or streaming TV programmes. Very few
70% 60%
(11%) reported that they exercise.
50%
While this is only a sample, the results of our survey give a perspective
40%
into the life of a lorry driver and has revealed areas that we ourselves can provide greater support. Half of respondents stated that they would be
30%
comfortable in talking with a non-driver colleague about their mental
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could, ultimately, prevent a crisis occurring.
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confidence to seek support and hold the important conversations that
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open in this way will give anyone affected by mental health the
ty
0%
It is our belief, and hope, that making mental health awareness training
d
somewhat important for them to communicate with their fellow drivers.
10%
oo
drivers themselves. Nearly 90% felt that it was either very important or
M
undergo mental health first aid training, which has also been extended to
20%
Lo w
health, which has led us to offer all office staff the opportunity to
Overall, do you feel that the mental health of
How much do you agree / disagree with the following statement?
truck drivers has improved, declined, or not
There is a lack of safe, clean, and affordable facilities for me to rest overnight
changed, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic?
100% 35% 30%
80%
25%
60%
20% 15%
40%
10%
20%
5% 0%
Improved
Declined
Not Changed
Unsure
0%
Mostly agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Mostly disagree
When spending a night in your cab / parked up / at a truckstop, how do you relax? 80%
60%
40%
20%
e/ im et Fa c on es on lo ve d wi th in g Ta lk
O
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e cis Ex er
ila r
M
sim
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ic
ng di Re a
ed lm cia So
TV
/
str e
am
in
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ia
0%
In conclusion To go back to the question of whether mental health is being talked
Giving drivers the opportunity to speak with a neutral individual
about enough in the haulage industry, it may appear on the surface
about their concerns is vital, and this should also dovetail with
that the answer is ‘no’. But let’s take a step back and ask why that is
greater education for management teams on how they can play a part
the case. The shortage of facilities available to drivers on the road is
in opening the door to conversations about mental health.
just the tip of the iceberg – there needs to be further support for management, planners, and drivers themselves, when it comes to
Make no mistake, driving is a stressful occupation. As an industry, we
identifying the warning signs of poor mental health.
need to protect the most important assets we have – our drivers – so that we can all contribute to the success of hauliers nationwide.
William Gilder Group Teddington Hands, Evesham Road, Teddington, Gloucestershire, GL20 8NE
01242 509790 news@wgilder.co.uk williamgilder.group
References [1] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-aboutmental-health/how-common-are-mental-healthproblems/#:~:text=1%20in%206%20people%20report%20experiencing%20a%20common%20mental%20health%20 problem%20(like%20anxiety%20and%20depression)%20in%20any%20given%20week%20in%20England [2] McManus S, Meltzer H, Brugha T, Bebbington P, Jenkins R (eds), 2009. Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England 2007: results of a household survey. NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care. [online] Available at: http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/psychiatricmorbidity07 [3] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-aboutmental-health/how-common-are-mental-healthproblems/#:~:text=Approximately%20only%201%20in%203%20adults [4] https://www.safetyfirstgroup.co.uk/new-stress-campaign-to-help-hgvdrivers/#:~:text=95%20per%20cent%20of%20workers [5] https://www.safetyfirstgroup.co.uk/new-stress-campaign-to-help-hgvdrivers/#:~:text=road%20haulage)%2C%20around-,four%20in%20ten%20cases,-of%20work%2Drelated [6] https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/depression-in-adults/overview/ [7] https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2023/mental-health-the-invisible-adversary-for-hgv-drivers [8] https://blog.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk/lone-worker-facts [9] https://blog.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk/lone-workerfacts#:~:text=work%2Dlife%20balance%2C-,33%25%20felt%20isolated,-and%2021%25%20were [10] https://blog.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk/lone-worker-facts#:~:text=also%20found%20that-,50%25,of%20those%20working [11] https://www.businessleader.co.uk/85-employers-offer-mental-health-well-being-support/ [12] https://www.rha.uk.net/News/Road-Haulage-Facts-andStats#:~:text=There%20are%20around%20305%2C000%20HGV,UK's%20departure%20from%20the%20EU. [13] https://www.ptsduk.org/hgv-drivers/ [14] https://www.ptsduk.org/hgvdrivers/#:~:text=being%20concerned%20about%20being%20able%20to%20take%20medications%20and%20drive% 2C [15] https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/almost-20-million-adults-never-speak-about-mental-health-andit-s-set-to-get-worse-due-to-the-cost-of-living-crisis/ [16] https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/truck-news/2023/09/19/moto-launches-mental-health-initiative-at-serviceareas-for-hgv-drivers [17] https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J8DJSGY