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One in five van drivers suffer mental health problems

Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017   |  

One in three added that job uncertainty contributed to poor mental health and 17% said road congestion impacted on their state of mind.

However, only one in three van drivers who believe their mental health is suffering have spoken to their manager about these issues, while 12% have not spoken to anyone about their mental health.

“With a continued surge in online shopping, an increasing reliance on same-day deliveries and spiraling traffic volumes across the UK, the real-world pressures on van drivers are changing,” said Steve Bridge, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “Our research findings act as a clear call to van drivers to talk about their mental health concerns and work pressures with their employers and for employers to actively listen to the real concerns of their workforce not only during Mental Health Awareness Week but beyond.”

James Harris, a spokesman for the Mental Health Foundation said: “Compared to the national average, these figures indicate van drivers are experiencing an increased rate of poor mental health. In part this may be explained by the pressures of the job, and the fact that van drivers can often be isolated.”