Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds will deliver free tailored mental health training to improve heavy vehicle safety.

The Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (Healthy Heads) ‘Tailored mental health training, increasing capacity across the supply chain’ project will receive crucial funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Australian Government.

Healthy Heads CEO Naomi Frauenfelder said the project will be delivered in the next 12 months.

“Mental health and wellbeing training is an important step which individuals and organisations can take to proactively manage psychosocial risks within the workplace.

“Healthy Heads has worked closely with leading training providers in the sector including Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, Mental Health First Aid Australia and AP Psychology & Consulting Services to develop industry tailored training programs that empower people to manage their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as improve their capacity to support others that they work with.

“Mental health and wellbeing training works to improve understanding and reduce stigma around mental health.  It has also been shown to improve the capacity of people to recognise signs in others and encourages help seeking behaviors which enable vital early intervention and support.

“Healthy Heads will be offering access to training at no cost to participants, thanks to the funding provided through the HVSI. There are seven different training courses being offered including Mental Health First Aid, Lifeline’s Accidental Counsellor, and Black Dog Institute’s Managing for Team wellbeing.’’

The variety of courses being offered aim to raise leadership capability, build better workplace cultures, support early intervention and recovery.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds is one of 12 grantees that will receive funding as part of a $4 million investment towards HVSI projects.

“As part of the HVSI, industry will be driving its own safety initiatives to contribute to safer roads, drivers, and vehicles,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“Round 8 projects include roadside health and wellness screening, driver training, and increased safety of vulnerable road users by using artificial intelligence-based video analytics to improve the design of intersections.

“These new initiatives provide solutions to key issues in the transport and logistics sector, ultimately helping reduce road trauma and save lives.

“I am excited to see how Health Heads in Trucks & Sheds’ project will make an impact, to deliver improved safety outcomes for all road users.”

For more information visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi

---

Media Contacts: 

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds | Naomi Frauenfelder | 0409 249 919 

NHVR | Jesse St Ledger | 07 3309 8765