Mental health in the workplace is a relatively new discussion that has entered into businesses and mainstream media over the past few years. Although organizations and publicly funded campaigns are working year after year to break down the stigma that surrounds mental illness, it still very much exists today. Bell Let’s Talk is one such initiative that has placed a spotlight on mental health in Canada, encouraging individuals to share their stories of dealing with mental illness and providing tools and support for individuals who are choosing to seek help from counselors, family members, friends, and employers. Unfortunately, many are choosing to remain silent, specifically at work when it comes to sharing their struggles with mental health, which should no longer be the case.
New Initiatives
Trucking HR Canada and the Government of Ontario recognize the impact that trucking can have on an individual’s mental health. They have partnered together to develop and provide resources and tools needed to assist employers in ensuring that employees can obtain the help and support they need if they struggle with a mental illness.
“Mental health in the workplace is an important, emerging priority among trucking and logistics employers,” says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada. “This project enables us to focus on the development of tools tailored to the needs of trucking and logistics employers in supporting workers dealing with mental health issues.”
Recent studies show that five hundred thousand Canadians are unable to work each year due to their psychological health. This does not count those who take time off from work and do not report the root cause. With one in five Canadians suffering from a mental illness, it is time that more and more industry leaders and governing bodies address the growing concern of mental illnesses affecting employees, and put tools in place to provide support where and when it's needed.
Why the Trucking Industry
Mental illness in the workplace is not exclusive to one industry or another, but there is a correlation between trucking and increased mental health issues, however. Trucking, specifically long-haul trucking, creates an environment that can contribute to anxiety and depression, as working from home, spending long periods of time alone and being exposed to stressful situations can leave employees unable to process damaging thoughts and emotions, while contributing to the fear of missing out on time with family and friends.
To combat this, the trucking industry is working to educate drivers on how to best take care of themselves while on the road, along with adjusting work schedules to allow for a greater work/ life balance. Regular exercise, healthy eating, making use of free time, and even choosing to work with a co-pilot can significantly help in improving mental health and wellness, and provide support if mental illness is a concern.
As tools and resources roll out from employers to assist employees who struggle with mental illness, these are a few things that employers can do now to create an environment that welcomes discussion and removes the stigma surrounding this.
Open-door policies are crucial for any business as when an employee feels heard and supported; they will feel more comfortable sharing the difficulties they are facing. Employers should always be willing to speak to team members to address concerns they may have as a business can only be as healthy as the team that runs it.
Team meetings provide the opportunity to discuss with employees mental health and wellness in the workplace, as well as address key concerns that employees may have. This allows business owners to share policies and procedures that are in place to better assist individuals who are experiencing a mental illness, and allow them to know that they are supported.
Providing access to counseling services through a company benefits program or a trained member of the team, can allow companies to help employees get the counseling they need whether they are working locally or remotely. Counseling can benefit all employees whether they have been diagnosed with a mental illness or not, making this an offering that will promote healthy living and provide support for all members of your team when needed.
Mental health is not a topic that businesses should remain silent about. Let’s continue the discussion and make establishing positive mental health a focus in the growth of the logistics industry.
