The Federal Government has committed new funding through the Federal Budget to expand mental health and wellbeing support across Australia’s transport and logistics sector, with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds set to significantly scale its frontline programs.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the investment would help deliver practical support to workers across the country.
“The transport and logistics sector plays a vital role in keeping Australia moving, and it is essential that the people who work across it are supported,” she said.
Healthy Heads Chair, Paul Graham, described the funding as a major milestone for the industry.
“This is a sector of more than 745,000 Australians that has ranked last for workplace mental health for years,” he said.
“What matters about this funding is not theory, it’s reach. It allows us to get out onto the road, into depots and into regional communities and connect people with support in a way that actually works.”
The investment will expand the Healthy Heads Road Show from around 40 events annually to more than 100, reaching more than 10,000 workers each year. Funding will also support a national research project focused on suicide prevention among Australian truck drivers.
The Government funding has been matched by the Goodman Foundation, creating a $5 million initiative aimed at expanding frontline support and suicide prevention programs nationwide.
Extracted in full from: https://primemovermag.com.au/udget-boosts-driver-mental-health-initiatives/
