Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

This article comes from two vantage points: that of a trucker’s wife, Kathy Hagle and a trucker therapist, Buck Black. We both know there are many issues drivers simply do not discuss, such as high divorce rates, family problems, depression, low self worth, and the lack of public knowledge in regards to the life of a trucker and his/her family.

If you look at the research on mental health and truckers, you will find mostly Australian articles. Who would have thought the Aussies would be the only ones up on this (no offense to Australians). The sad truth is that America is largely behind in researching, supporting, and helping truckers. This makes no sense given we rely on truckers for just about every material thing we have. If you’ve got it, a trucker brought it…right?

It is important to point out that people in the military have the VA (Department of Veteran’s Affair), which provides support for troops for both physical and mental healthcare. There is even a program where troops can call a therapist and talk about depression, stress, and relationship problems for free (http://www.giveanhour.org). Isn’t it a shame the military has more support for the families involved in that career choice than trucking has even thought of?

If the mental health and family issues related to trucking gain more attention, we firmly believe the general public will have a much more positive image of drivers and their profession. As a result, there will be more support from the business and private communities for truck drivers and their families.

Truckers and their families deserve a very high level of support, which they simply do not receive. We urge every driver and their family to discuss the challenges of being in this profession so that the stigma of asking for some additional help with family life, depression, stress, or any other issue is something that can be openly discussed. The longer these issues are kept secret, the longer families and drivers will go unsupported.

Links to help with families of trucking, as well as truckers

L.O.A.D.S. Online support forum for the families of truckers.

Drivers WellnessProviding quality emotional, relational and spiritual aid to drivers and the trucking industry across the United States and Canada.

Dispatch Me Home was written so that we could revisit, recreate, and enhance the image of the American trucker who drives our highways and byways 24/7. We want to give him a renewed swagger in his step. If there was ever an American original, it was the American Truck driver

Life as a Trucker will entertain, educate, inform, motivate, and inspire.