Milestone achievement: 602 trained through Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (Healthy Heads) has delivered mental health training to 602 people across the transport, warehousing, and logistics sectors. All 37 courses were offered at no cost to participants or businesses and were delivered nationwide.
 
The transport, warehousing, and logistics industries face unique mental health risks, such as long hours, isolation, tight delivery schedules, and the constant demands of operating heavy machinery, all of which contribute to higher levels of psychological distress, fatigue, and other mental health issues.
 
Backed by funding from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Round 8 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Australian Government, the training program focused on creating psychologically safe workplaces, building practical skills and instilling knowledge and confidence in individuals working in the industry. The program also aimed to increase the uptake of longer-term mental health training, particularly among small-to-medium business enterprises (SMEs).
 
Participants came from every state and territory, with the highest representation being from Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. The training attracted a wide cross-section of industry professionals, including heavy vehicle drivers and people working in safety, compliance, leadership, operations and human resources roles.
 
Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, increased confidence, and a clear improvement in their ability to identify and respond to mental health challenges. Training covered key skills such as recognising emotional distress, responding appropriately, making referrals, having conversations about suicidal thoughts, encouraging help-seeking behaviour, and practising self-care.
 
“This is a fantastic result,” said Healthy Heads CEO Naomi Frauenfelder. “It’s especially encouraging to see strong engagement from SMEs, many of whom were accessing this kind of training for the first time.”
 
The NHVR also welcomed the outcome.
 
“We’re proud to continue supporting innovative safety projects through the HVSI,” said NHVR CEO Nicole Rosie.
 
“Mental health is a critical safety issue in the sector, and it’s great to see the Healthy Heads training courses making a genuine impact.”

To continue supporting the industry, Healthy Heads has committed to providing ongoing access to some free, annual online mental health training. This initiative offers businesses, particularly smaller operators, an opportunity to trial courses and encourages broader uptake of structured mental health education.
 
The industry tailored mental health training courses are also available for purchase year-round through the Healthy Heads website, for both businesses and individuals.

Mental Health Training - Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds