Driving Conversations in the Road Transport, Warehousing and Logistics Industries

R U OK? and Healthy Heads in Truck & Sheds have teamed up to ensure people in the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries know when and how to meaningfully connect and genuinely ask, “are you OK?”

Today, 17 May, is ‘R U OK? in Trucks & Sheds Day’, a day of action to start driving conversations for ongoing cultural change and to shine a light on the need to have these conversations, every day of the year.

Organisations across the country will hold workplace events to encourage connection amongst colleagues and provide free resources on how to drive a conversation if they’re worried a workmate might be struggling.

Katherine Newton, CEO, R U OK? said, “Life’s ups and downs happen to us all, but those working in the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries face some unique challenges including tight deadlines, long hours, shift work and isolation. One thing we can all do is drive conversations with workmates who might be doing it tough, helping them feel connected and supported at work and in their personal lives.”

"If you’re prepared to talk to a workmate about how they’re really feeling, it could help someone who is struggling long before they’re in crisis”.

Naomi Frauenfelder, CEO HHTS said, “a key ambition of the Foundation is to continually raise mental health awareness among truck drivers, distribution centre and warehouse staff members. By joining forces with R U OK? our goal is to make sure people in the sector have the tools to drive conversations that could change, or even, save a life.”

“To achieve this goal, we have worked with R U OK? to create ‘a practical guide to asking ‘’are you OK?’’ that is tailored to the sector. It provides the tools to spot the signs that someone might be doing it tough and four simple steps to asking, “are you okay?”, right through to how to find support services.” Ms Frauenfelder said.

"Show your support and ask ‘are you OK?’ today and every time you spot the signs a workmate might be struggling. Together, as an industry we can drive conversations that make a real difference.”

Paul Graham, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Australia Post, said the COVID pandemic impacted those in road transport, warehousing and logistics industries, highlighting the need to check in with those around us.

"We all had our challenges the last few years, but for those working in the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries, those challenges hit a little differently," he said.



"When flights were grounded across the country, our drivers, our posties, the folks driving the road trains or manning the Post Offices became a lifeline for so many businesses and individuals across the country. Their resilience was tested every day.

"We know that as an industry, we can and must do better in how we look after the mental health and wellbeing of our people. "

Find out more and download free resources including ‘A practical guide to asking, “are you OK?’’ here.