Driving healthy heads in Australian trucking

In 2020, the trucking industry saw the launch of Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds – a foundation that puts mental health front of mind.

Created to promote the prevention and understanding of mental health issues in truck drivers and supply chain staff, Healthy Heads is already making big change in the industry, building strong partnerships and breaking down barriers.

Leading the charge is CEO Naomi Frauenfelder with Communications Manager Sally Glover, two professionals passionate about driving positive change on a national scale. I caught up with Naomi and Sally to gain an insight into how they became involved in the foundation and where it’s headed.

Naomi, as the CEO of a newly-formed foundation, what are your personal goals?

"I am really keen to drive a change in culture in the sector where talking about mental health and wellbeing becomes as everyday as talking about safety. Being one of the biggest industries in Australia, I am also passionate about reaching as many industry participants as possible, to make everyone who works in the supply chain sector aware of the resources that are available to support them. 

Ultimately, I would like to get to the point that no one in the industry feels alone, and knows that there is support available

Ultimately, I would like to get to the point that no one in the industry feels alone, and knows that there is support available to them via HHTS resources, their colleagues and peers, family and friends and even the free support services and phone lines that we are so lucky to have in Australia"

You have significant experience in the rail industry, have you noticed any similarities or differences compared to the trucking industry?

"There are definitely some similarities between rail and road transport, in terms of the role each sector plays in the economy and in some of the challenges workers within these industries face. This can involve long days spent driving, the nature of the incidents that frontline workers can be exposed to while doing their jobs in, and the critical importance of safety. These unique factors only work to drive home the importance of reducing stigma around mental health and providing support resources to industry.  

One of the biggest differences between the two industries is the number of operators, and the huge number of owner drivers and small companies in road transport. This means our work is cut out for us at HHTS in reaching all of the people working in trucks and sheds! But that is key to our approach and a strong motivator of the Board - to improve the workplace for all truck and shed workers, not only these employed by large companies"

Sally, how did you get involved with HHTS?

"I was introduced to the interim CEO Lachlan Benson during the recruitment process for the role of Communications Manager. Having a rural background and an existing understanding of the vital role Australian truck drivers and supply chain workers play in the agricultural sector in particular, I was instantly attracted to HHTS and its future plans" 

What has your time in the role been like since you started?

"My role is extremely dynamic, understanding the inherent challenges faced by workers across the sector is an important part of my role. Like our industry, mental health has no borders, ensuring all workers in the sector can receive the tools required to support their mental health and wellbeing is equally important to me in my role at HHTS. Thankfully, I have the knowledge and guidance of our Board, Advisory Board and all Working Group members, as well as our wonderful CEO Naomi Frauenfelder" 

Sometimes mental health can be a hard subject for people to talk about – what’s the importance of breaking down the stigma?

NF: "Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to people accessing support services, or even just opening up to a trusted friend or family member about a problem or challenge they might be facing. What we all need to remember is that everyone goes through life’s ups and downs and each one of us has struggled at some point. 

So by opening up about challenges we may have faced and the tools, resources or simple tips we have utilised to see us through, will help others to also open up and slowly, the more we all talk about mental health and challenges, that stigma will be broken down" 

Since its launch, what has the industry response to HHTS been like?

SG: "The response to HHTS has been extremely positive and encouraging, the great thing about our industry is the sense of community and mateship.

I’ve seen a gradual breakdown of stigma relating to mental health and more people feeling comfortable sharing personal experiences which in turn help others feel less alone

I’ve seen a gradual breakdown of stigma relating to mental health and more people feeling comfortable sharing personal experiences which in turn help others feel less alone. This is something that I think is key to the Foundation’s long term success" 

What challenges is the organisation hoping to conquer in the next 12-18 months?

SG: "Our main goal is to ensure all operators across the sector have access to our national mental health strategy, and hope that we can support them in understanding how it can be implemented and subsequently support their journey to building more healthy, happy and thriving working environments" 

What are your top tips for maintaining good mental health?

NF: "Yoga!!! I love practicing yoga as much as I can, ideally every day. Not only do I enjoy the physical benefits of stretching out after sitting at a desk all day, but I have noticed that when I do practice, I am more mindful of how I am feeling and reacting to things. I also try to get out each day for even just a 20-30 minute walk to get fresh air. With COVID restrictions and working from home, I noticed the amount of time I was spending indoors at my desk every day and think it is really important to get some sunshine and fresh air daily" 

SG: "Taking time to do things that you enjoy and that break up the day-to-day work routine is important to me. Cooking for friends is one of my favourite things to do, as well as going for walks in the fresh air before work and going to the gym. All of these things help me to reset and feel more energised. But equally, I find it important to have some down time, which for me is usually getting into a tv series" 

Visit to the Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds website to find out more.