Next Thursday, September 11 is R U OK? Day and Australian businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to help them check in with their team members and make discussions around mental health, both normalised and positive.

Held annually to break the stigma around mental health conversations and asking for help, R U OK? Day wants each of us to ask this simple question of those around us - and to listen to the answer!

It asks us to pay attention and notice if someone is not themselves, seems more withdrawn or agitated or is just plain down.

“By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up,” the Australian-based charity states. 

“If they say they are not OK, you can follow our conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are OK, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.”

Helping to ensure the mental health of workers continues to be a priority in the transport, warehousing and logistics sectors in Australia, is the non-profit organisation Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, Healthy Heads offers industry-specific resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of those employed in these industries.

In a new report, Healthy Heads announces it delivered training to more than 600 people between April and July this year, across 37 different courses.

“The transport, warehousing, and logistics industries face unique mental health risks, such as long hours, isolation, tight delivery schedules, and the constant demands of operating heavy machinery, all of which contribute to higher levels of psychological distress, fatigue, and other mental health issues,” Healthy Heads states.

Backed with funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Round 8 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), the training program focuses on creating psychologically safe workplaces, building practical skills and instilling knowledge and confidence in individuals working in the industry.

The program also aims to increase the uptake of longer-term mental health training, particularly among small-to-medium businesses. Details on the training can be found on the Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds website.