Courier Work And Mental Health

Courier Work And Mental Health

Society has come a long way in terms of how well we talk about and deal with mental health problems. But there鈥檚 still a long way to go, and too many people suffer in silence. What鈥檚 more, many factors can make the problem even worse for those doing courier work. Read on to find out how you or your colleagues may be at risk, and how to beat the stigma in a healthy and positive way. Mental Health in the Industry It鈥檚 easy enough to speak of mental health issues in the industry, but what evidence is there? A lot, as it turns out. Informed observers agree that psychological issues are especially difficult for drivers to talk about, with the Mental Health Foundation鈥檚 Chris O鈥橲ullivan noting 鈥榳idespread鈥?stigma in those who do courier work. A recent survey by Mercedes-Benz Vans found that 56% of van drivers and owners believe there is a stigma attached to discussing mental health at work. Less than a quarter of managers report employees coming to them with issues - and the figure is even lower for male managers.

Things are slightly more encouraging when we look at conversations that do happen, with over half of those who have talked about a colleague鈥檚 mental health problem with them saying they felt glad the colleague could confide in them. This at least suggests that starting a conversation is a good step, although a quarter felt uninformed and a fifth embarrassed in the same situation. These statistics paint a worrying picture about mental health in courier work, especially as the job has so many elements that can put workers more at risk of problems. Risk Factors The level of understanding of mental health is improving among professionals as well as in society in general, and that extends to its causes. The link between stress and a variety of illnesses is increasingly well documented, and Mind鈥檚 Emma Mamo notes that people who drive for a living are far more likely to experience many of the things that can lead to stress. These include long working hours, working alone, lack of support and irregular sleeping and eating. Drivers will recognise all of these as par for the course on the job.

Spending a long time at the wheel is in the nature of courier work, and varying and inconsistent demand for services makes it especially difficult to establish strong routines. What do I do? The first and most important step is to do some research on what you鈥檙e feeling. Organisations like Mind provide a variety of materials tailored to various different jobs. At the same time, research doesn鈥檛 have to mean spending two hours staring at a computer screen. You can and should take the time to 鈥榗heck in鈥?with yourself - ask questions like how am I feeling, have I been eating right, have I been sleeping enough and so on. Next, you should know that a problem shared is a problem halved. Mamo recommends not just speaking to friends and family when you鈥檙e struggling, but letting them know what warning signs to look out for. Research from Ford, meanwhile, suggests that taking a drive can help, as two thirds of those who do courier work said they were more comfortable talking to colleagues while behind the wheel. All in all, mental health is something everyone struggles with at times. Past attitudes, that struggling made you crazy or even weak, are thankfully fading. The travel industry isn鈥檛 special, but drivers need to recognise when they鈥檙e at risk and look out for each other. Because the best way to beat the stigma is by sitting down and talking it through. Author Plate Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.

Q: Do you put a body kit on over your factory bumpers, or do you replace your factory bumpers with a body kit? A: Some body kits come with bumpers that replace your entire factory bumpers while others come with add-on lips that attach to your existing bumpers. It all depends on the brand and style of the body kit. Q: Do body kits fit over the existing bumpers or replace them? A: Most body kits bumpers will require you to remove your original factory bumper covers and replace them with the ones you've purchased (normally you use the same hardware from your factory bumpers to install the new body kit bumpers). If your body kit includes front and/or rear "lips" or "fascias" the front and/or rear pieces will attach underneath your existing bumpers. Q: Are body kits strong enough for a daily driver, or are they just for show cars? A: Body kits are very strong when installed correctly. Of course, fiberglass can indeed crack if in a fender-bender or if you hit a curb too hard, but in general they will last you a long time. For an added level of strength, consider going with a urethane body kit if available for your vehicle. Q: Can I mix and match body kit components if I don't like a particular part? Keep in mind that it's best to try to stick with one brand, however, as additional shipping charges may be incurred if the parts come from different warehouses. If you have any questions or concerns, just contact us!

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