BELL LET’S TALK DAY 2019

It’s officially #BellLetsTalkDay and we here at Erb Transport want to reiterate the importance of strong, positive mental health for everyone. In the trucking industry, we are acutely aware of mental health and the impact it can have. It does not discriminate, and unlike a broken bone or physical illness, there are often no visual signs of distress.

Mental health in the trucking industry is becoming an increasingly discussed topic. In October, Erb attended a mental health symposium hosted by TruckingHR Canada. Learning about mental health in this industry and bringing this conversation back to our workplace was a highly beneficial experience, and we encourage everyone in this industry to attend these symposiums and start this conversation. The keynote speaker, David, expressed throughout his speech that he has always regarded himself as a “tough” individual. Eventually, David expressed that the toughest thing he has ever done was admit he had a problem with mental health.

It is crucial for companies to provide employees with the proper support and resources to battle mental health. If you’re worried about the  mental health of someone you know, or yourself, here are a few signs to look for:

• Sleep or appetite changes
• Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings
• Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities
• Drop in functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity
• Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from yourself
• Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling
• Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic behavior

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for combating mental health, but there are things you can do to improve it. The #BellLetsTalk day was created to open lines of communication and start these conversations that too many people are afraid to have. Admitting you have an issue with mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness!

This year, make every day #BellLetsTalk day.