You drive for a living, a van, a truck, a lorry. You take care of the load in the back,
but what about the load on your shoulders?
World Suicide Prevention Day – driver managers
It’s World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th September. An estimated 703,000 people a year take their life around the world. For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt, and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.
Suicide prevention is everybody’s business.
National Highways estimates around 60 deaths per year on the strategic network are suicides – accounting for around 20 per cent of road deaths on the strategic road network – so if you manage drivers, this is relevant to you.
Each suicidal death is a public health concern with a profound impact on those around them.
In the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45, with 1 man dying every two hours. On average 15 million working days are lost to stress, anxiety, depression, or other serious mental health issues in the UK each year.
Commercial and professional drivers – high risk
One of the highest risk groups is professional drivers many of whom work in isolation from others, and the risk is often exacerbated by poor quality sleep and fatigue.
Driving for Better Business has a variety of resources to help employers manage the wellbeing of staff driving or riding for work.
Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser for National Highways and the Driving for Better Business lead said:
“Sadly suicide is not a rare occurrence and all too often people feel they have no-one to turn to and can’t see a way out of their difficulties. National Highways has produced a Suicide Prevention Strategy recognising the devastating impact suicide and the role that the organisation can play in supporting a community based approach to prevention.
The Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team and Driving for Better Business have also provided resources to support drivers and employers. It’s ok to ask someone how they’re doing, to allow them to talk, to let them know they’re not alone. Taking that time could make all the difference.”
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2023
Resource links:
National Highways Suicide Prevention Strategy
Driving for Better Business Driver Wellbeing Resources
Simon Turner
Campaign Manager
Driving for Better Business
