When the pandemic struck, the brave men and women who kept the supply of food and essential goods moving were widely recognized as heroes. Determined truck drivers met the challenge despite great personal health and safety risk. As the nation enters a post-pandemic economy, it’s vital to understand that the struggles of over-the-road truckers and regional fleet drivers are far from over.
What everyday people may not realize is the nature of the occupation puts hard-working men and women at heightened risk of diminished mental health. Only by having an open dialogue about issues such as depression can truckers and community members stop shrugging them off and put support systems in place.
An organization aligned with the National Institute of Health conducted a study involving more than 300 male tractor-trailer operators at a truck stop outside Greensboro, N.C. Participants filled out a survey with 82 questions related to occupational mental health. The sample delivered troubling statistical information about the state of mental health in the trucking industry.
- Severe loneliness impacted 27.9 percent of truckers.
- Depression was experienced by 26.9 percent
- Chronic sleep disturbances affected 20.6 percent of drivers polled.
- At least 14.5 percent struggled with anxiety, and 13 percent reported general emotional problems.
The disturbing findings proved consistent with other truck driver studies regarding mental health and emotional wellness. What seems inherently dysfunctional about the freight-hauling sector is that few effective support systems, resources, and open dialogues have emerged. During the height of the pandemic, the suicide rate increases, and lost lives in the trucking occupations shined a spotlight on the pervasive problem.
“What we’re seeing in terms of truck drivers is that it’s almost double. That alone is alarming because depression is correlated to suicide, and suicide is a leading cause of death,” Logistics Mental Health psychotherapist and CEO Kirleen Neely reportedly said at the time. “On the road, they’re seeing horrific things — accidents and things we don’t think about. We don’t always think how that translates to anxiety and fear. They need to talk about it to move forward.”
An unwillingness for male truckers to express feelings of loneliness, isolation, and frailty appears to be a significant part of the problem. Many veteran truckers entered the profession at a time when talking about feelings and emotions was widely equated with weakness. Change has been slow even with Millennials and younger demographics entering the workforce, who are considered culturally open to discuss mental health.
“There’s still a machismo in driving — not wanting to admit and deal with the stigma and discrimination with seeking care for mental health problems and mental distress,” The University of Central Florida, College of Nursing Endowed Chair Mona Shattell reportedly said. “Truckers are a hardworking group, and mental illness in our country … is still seen as a weakness.”
That being said, it’s crucial that truckers are offered information and access to mental health and wellness resources. Employers are urged to include information in items such as company newsletters. As truck drivers take the opportunity to privately review this information, an increased number may decide to take steps to protect their mental health on the road.
Sources: ttnews.com, nami.com, fmcsa.dot.gov
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