Breaking the Stigma: Empowering logistic professionals to gain insight into mental health and well-being.

Mental health is an incredibly prominent issue affecting people in all industries, especially trucking and logistics.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month-long recognition began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health).

Mental Health Awareness Month aims to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses. According to Mental Health America’s 2023 State of Mental Health in America survey, 21% of American adults suffer from at least one mental illness. That is roughly 50 million people (about twice the population of Texas) in the United States. On top of that, we know that 55% of adults with a mental illness have not received any treatment.

This month-long recognition also aims to call attention to suicide. Over 12.1 million adults (4.8%) in America have reported serious thoughts of suicide again, according to Mental Health America. Mental Health Awareness Month also strives to reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) surrounding mental illnesses.

Carriers and logistics workers face unique mental health challenges in our industry, such as long hours, tight schedules, and the continuous stress of navigating traffic and road conditions.

At Spot, we offer an Employee Assistance Program or EAP because we know personal issues, planning for life events, or simply managing daily life can affect your work, health, and family. Our EAP program provides support, resources, and information for personal and work-life issues. The program is company-sponsored, confidential, and provided at no charge to our employees.

In addition to employer support, carriers and logistics workers can prioritize their own mental health. This can involve setting boundaries around work hours and taking breaks, practicing self-care activities such as exercise or meditation, and seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals when necessary.

The trucking and logistics industry cannot afford to overlook the importance of mental health. By prioritizing this issue, employers and employees can create a safer and healthier work environment that benefits everyone involved. It is important to remember that mental health should not be taken lightly, and we should all do our part to support each other’s well-being.

Please check out some further resources to support your well-being below:

General

• Mental Health in the Workplace [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]
• Mental Health Toolkit [U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)]
• Caring for Your Mental Health [National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)]
• Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Resource]
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator [HHS]
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [NIMH]
• National Center for PTSD [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)]

Suicide Prevention

• Suicide Prevention Hotlines [NIMH]
• Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide [NIMH; in English and Spanish]
• Warning Signs of Suicide [NIMH; in English and Spanish]
• 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain [NIMH; in English and Spanish
• Suicide Prevention Toolkit [HHS]
• Suicide Prevention [CDC]
• Depression Interventions [CDC]

Suicide Postvention

• A Manager’s Guide to Suicide Postvention in the Workplace: 10 Action Steps for Dealing with the Aftermath of Suicide [Suicide Prevention Resource Center; Not a Federal Resource]
• Responding to Grief, Trauma, and Distress After a Suicide: U.S. National Guidelines [Suicide Prevention Resource Center; Not a Federal Resource]

Psychological First Aid

• PTSD: National Center for PTSD [VA]
• Psychological First Aid [Coursera]
• Psychological First Aid [Johns Hopkins University]

Online and App Resources

• Calm: a multifaceted meditation, sleep, and relaxation app featuring a wide variety of offerings that encourage everything from mindfulness to movement. Calm features meditations, stories, music, soundscapes, and more, all meant to lead listeners to a new level of calmness.
• Better Help: Online therapy service with the goal to provide you with a personalized therapist match that is tailored to your preferences and needs.