GIPPSLAND truck drivers Carly Vanderwiel and Adam Trewin will take their Whippets on the road for ‘National Take Your Dog to Work Day’ today (Friday June 23), to highlight mental health issues in the transport industry.
Friday, June 23, marks an important day for many Australian pet owners, including partners and truck business owners Ms Vanderwiel and Mr Trewin, who take their three Whippets – Pippi, Prinny and Spud – on the road with them for their weekly long hauls between Gippsland and Brisbane.
The couple, who are based in Briagolong and Hazelwood North, have teamed up with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to raise much-needed awareness about the mental health issues impacting truck drivers, and why it’s so important for them to take their furry friends to work.
Ms Vanderwiel and Mr Trewin own their own transport business and have taken their dogs on the road with them for many years. They credit them for helping keep their mental health in-check during the long and often lonely drives up the east coast of Australia.
Mr Trewin, who grew up in Heyfield, comes from a family of truckies and has seen first-hand the tough mental load that truck drivers endure. He believes that taking Spud on the road has helped to manage his own mental health during what has been a difficult time for his family in past years.
According to the pair, taking their Whippets to work gives them someone to talk to, companionship and affection, and encourages them to better manage their health and fatigue due to increased rest stops, more exercise (walking dogs), and the social outlet that the dogs provide (socialising with other truck drivers/dog owners).
They truly believe their dogs help to calm their minds on the road, as overthinking and anxiety due to isolation whilst driving is common. The dogs’ sense when they’re not in a good headspace gives them the boost they need.
Mr Trewin has done workdays that went as long as 17 hours. As the couple run their own business, they have the ability to take their pets with them. But as Mr Trewin notes, most other truck drivers around the country won’t be allowed to do so.
“When I was a company driver, you didn’t get that opportunity. They usually don’t allow pets,” he said.
“We’re lucky we get to have that choice.”
Mr Trewin says having their dogs helps with the isolation of long driving distances.
“There’s a lot of time pressure and stress,” he said, and Ms Vanderwiel agreed.
If you can’t have a companion with you while driving, Ms Vanderwiel suggests doing something that helps you to take your mind off everyday stresses.
“Because you’ve got so much time on your hands, the (long drives) compound the bad space you’re in if you’re having a bad day,” Ms Vanderwiel said.
“For us, our dogs can compound us back. It’s a lot harder without them.”
Michelle Tayler, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, NHVR, said mental health in truck drivers is more common than many people realise.
“Truck drivers deal with numerous on-the-job stressors including spending long periods of time away from family and friends which can create a sense of isolation. With shift work being a part of most truck drivers’ jobs, routine can be hard to maintain, so often poor diet and lack of exercise can all be contributing factors that lead to an increase in mental health conditions and suicide in the sector,” Ms Taylor said.
“We’re seeing several truck drivers, like Carly and Adam, who regularly take their dogs to work with them for the positive impact it has on their mental, emotional, and social health.
“The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator takes the mental health of truck drivers seriously. Over the years we have partnered with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds on several initiatives and programs to ensure the right resources are available to reduce mental health impacts on truck drivers across Australia.”
It’s well documented that pets in the workplace have calming effects, reduce blood pressure, lower stress, and offer social support to counteract depression and anxiety in people. The presence of a dog in the workplace can bring significant benefits to the health, wellbeing and performance of employees which can also increase productivity.
Naomi Frauenfelder, Chief Executive, Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, said: “Transport and logistics workers are an often-invisible workforce that support the nation every day and through particularly challenging times as we have witnessed in recent years.”
There are around 209,300 truck drivers in Australia, and they deal with numerous on-the-job stressors including long work hours, tight deadlines, shift work, irregular sleep, absence from family and friends – loneliness, poor diet and lack of exercise – factors that greatly contribute to higher numbers of poor mental health and suicide in the sector.
According to the Superfriend 2021 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace, the transport and logistics sector was the lowest ranked industry in Australia in terms of workplace mental health at 19 out of 19. The Work-Related Mental Disorders Profile by Safe Work Australia (2015) identified the transport and logistics industries as having one of the highest rates of claims for work-related mental disorders with 44.8 per cent of industry workers having experienced a mental health condition.
Analysis by the Coroners Court of Victoria (2008 – 2014) showed truck drivers had the highest number of suicides out of any other profession.
Monash University’s Driving Health study found that one in every two heavy vehicle drivers was overweight or obese and almost a third of drivers had three or more diagnosed medical conditions (four times greater than the average Australian), with the most common conditions including back problems, high blood pressure and poor mental health.
Experiencing fatigue was also commonly reported by drivers (62.1 per cent).
For free tools and resources to support mental health and improve wellbeing for those working in the sector at www.healthyheads.org.au
Lifeline is available 24 hours a day: 13 11 14
