FOCUS ON GOOD MENTAL HEALTH THIS MONTH!

Post Date - May 23, 2022

After two years of pandemic living – and being key essential workers -- many truck drivers are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being. As part of Mental Health Month in May, USA Truck is spotlighting our Employee Assistance Program and ways to maintain good mental health.

What is an EAP (Employee Assistance Program)?
An EAP is a work-based intervention program designed to assist our truck drivers and employees with issues that may adversely affect their health or wellbeing. EAPs traditionally have assisted workers with issues like alcohol or substance misuse but they also cover a broad range of issues such as child or elder care, relationship challenges, financial or legal problems, and wellness matters.

USA Truck’s EAP is delivered at no cost to employees through Group Life and Disability Income Insurance from Symetra Life Insurance. Our value-add programs complement the insurance benefits we offer and strengthen our goal of getting all of our drivers and employees to a better place. Services include assistance with will preparation, travel, identity theft protection and coping after a loss.

Why is it so important to address?
Depression and anxiety are top issues among truckers, closely followed by post-traumatic stress disorder. According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 17 million American adults experience depression, making it one of the most common mental disorders. By occupation, transportation has the fourth-highest rate of suicide among American working-age adults and is especially a concern for male-dominated industries such as trucking because nearly 70% of people who die by suicide are male.

Making mental health a priority
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, depressed or confused, it’s time to connect with your EAP provider. For USA Truck drivers, family members and employees, all it takes is a quick call or click to be connected to a professional support network that can help.

Other tips for truck drivers to lessen stress include:

• Travel with a companion. It could be a pet, spouse or significant other. USA Truck has our Drive Plus 1 Rider program and our Drive Furry program that makes that easy.
• Contact home daily. Stay connected to the family and be ‘in the loop’ with what’s happening with your loved ones.
• Bring along some comforts of home like your mobile device or computer, good quality bedding and pillow, etc.
• Listen to something good. Tune in to your favorite music or podcast to listen to when driving.
• Choose your rest stops carefully. Stop only at nice, clean truck stops.

Your friends at USA Truck want everyone to enjoy good mental health. Stay in tune to your stress levels or any difficult situations to make sure you’re not getting overwhelmed. If your carrier does not offer an EAP to help take care of your mind and body, consider joining us at USA Truck. We have a long list of unique advantages in addition to our no-cost EAP. Connect with us today to learn more!