Road managers
Accessibility tools
The NHVR is investing significantly in a number of important projects that put mental health front and centre in our conversations, through the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
One of the most exciting recent developments is the establishment of the Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds initiative (HTTS), which the NHVR are supporting through a $600,000 grant from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
HTTS has brought together some of the biggest companies in the industry, including Woolworths, Coles, Linfox, Toll, Qube and Ron Finemore Transport, with the aim of being overarching umbrella body for the road transport and logistics industry for mental health and wellbeing.
HHTS has been structured with the participation of smaller operators funded by the larger founding industry members, a positive step as owner drivers and smaller operators often left out of the conversation.
The NHVR are also supporting a number of other initiatives through the HVSI that are currently underway.
The most recent round of funding saw the Transport Education Audit Compliance Health Organisation (TEACHO) receive $250,000 of heavy vehicle safety funding to extend the Transport Industry Mental Health Initiative: Steering Healthy Minds to more parts of the industry.
The Victorian Transport Association have received funding for their project Integrating Mental Health Makes Good Business Sense.
Meanwhile a number of projects from the previous round are ongoing.
Injury Matters in Western Australia are rolling out the initial stage of their Mentally and Physically Safe (MaPS) on our Roads program, having completed their research phase.
The NT Road Transport Association has also received funding for their Working for a Healthier Tomorrow project, which is conducting research around the impact on drivers of being the first responders to road accidents.
Finally, the ACT-based OZHELP Foundation is using their funding to develop a mental health and wellbeing program that focuses on proactive early intervention programs and support services.
We all know that there’s no silver bullet to improve safety, but anything that we can do or industry can do with us to improve safety should be encouraged and supported. Through working together across government and industry, we can make our industry safer and healthier across the board.
For more information on any of these projects:
- Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds
- Steering Healthy Minds - TWU and Transport Education Audit Compliance Health Organisation
- Victorian Transport Association
- Mentally and Physically Safe (MaPS) - Injury Matters WA
- NT Road Transport Association
- Health promotion and assistance program targeting owner drivers - OZHELP ACT
If you or someone you know needs help, you are not alone. To speak to someone 24/7, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.