Coach operators need to be alert to the mental health stresses that can occur within the driving profession, writes Simon Ingham, Edwards Coaches Commercial Manager
Although spring is here to lighten our mood, I’m sure I’m not alone in having become fed up in recent months with needing a rain jacket wherever I go or scraping ice off the car windscreen before the morning commute.
The impact that the weather has on mental health can be quite significant. This change in seasons got me thinking about mental health in the coach industry.
Our industry is, of course, one in which drivers may work alone or away from base for prolonged periods, sometimes repeatedly. They may be away from friends and family or subject to missing important life events due to work patterns.
Driving often allows the brain to wander and to think deeply, which can sometimes have detrimental effects on performance through allowing things to fester.
High levels of stress, anxiety and sometimes depression can occur from working long hours, dealing with traffic congestion, tight schedules, having to be agile with route planning and passenger conflict or difficulties.
Such stressors can lead to burnout, fatigue and mental health issues, which could impact safety if not dealt with appropriately by employers.
On the flip side, in this industry, we have many colleagues, each with their different characters, and we have opportunities to form strong friendships through which we can share life’s struggles.
There is also the opportunity to travel to interesting towns, cities, attractions and points of interest near and far while getting paid.
High levels of stress, anxiety and sometimes depression can occur from working long hours
As a coach driver, you can adopt the stance that you are your own boss, solely delivering a service which gives a great sense of accomplishment and achievement for many.
Unequivocally, our industry has grown more aware of mental health, and the importance of it has become more topical over the past decade. Mental health first-aiders have become common in our workplaces.
Posters signposting help for mental health issues are displayed in staff areas. It is discussed in induction training and periodic refreshers, and referred to in driver handbooks and other such material. There are also dedicated online platforms which highlight the importance of mental health and offer support to our drivers.
Control teams are more in tune with driver behaviours and characteristics, and are trained to spot anything that seems not quite right. Driver monitoring technology assists with trend-spotting, while coaching cultures exist to dig deep into any recurrent trends.
Driver reps are trained to support drivers who need help. Allocators try to accommodate requests to change shifts to allow for a healthy work-life balance. Often, there is an open-door policy with senior managers, if employees wish to discuss any matters at a higher level.
Collectively, we are now much better at understanding the importance of mental health and wellbeing. We’ve adopted practices that are helpful and supportive as talk about mental health has become prevalent and topical around the world.
The non-exhaustive list of support mechanisms above is repeated many times over with coach and bus operators all over the UK. Is there more we can do? Of course, though we are much more informed with regards to mental health than previously.
We must not become complacent; we must continue to nurture mental health positivity and maintain awareness for the benefit of employers, employees, colleagues, road users, pedestrians and passengers, to name just a few.
