Facebook Group Established to Fight Drivers’ Depression

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This story appears in the July 18 print edition of Transport Topics.

An Oklahoma man launched a Facebook group last month after two truck drivers that he knew committed suicide within two weeks of each other.

Michael Suson said he created “Truckers For Truckers” on the social media outlet June 19 with the help of co-worker Erin Clark, and already there are more than 1,200 members.

Overall, the use of Facebook demonstrates another aspect of how technology continues to make inroads within trucking. In fact, there are other groups on the social media site that allow truck drivers to discuss issues affecting their jobs, including Truckers Care, Truckers Highway and Truckers Haven, with thousands of members.

Depression affects approximately 14.8 million Americans, or about 6.7% of adults, and is the leading cause of disability for Americans aged 15 to 44, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Suson and Clark have been longhaul truck drivers since 1994 and work for Steelman Transportation, a flatbed carrier based in Springfield, Missouri. They knew both people who committed suicide.

Tim Spencer, who also drove for Steelman, shot himself June 3 inside his truck on the company lot, a spokeswoman said.

The day before Spencer posted a picture on Facebook of a gun and the words: “I can’t believe suicide’s on my [expletive] mind.”

Then, on June 15, driver Danny Hanks hanged himself in his living room, according to Suson and Clark.

“I may not be able to save everyone, but if I can save one or two people, then they did not die in vain,” said Suson. “Doing this on Facebook makes it easier for me, and makes it easier for others because most people have a Facebook or Twitter account.”

A 2010 study into the mental health of truck drivers found physical and mental problems to be a significant challenge among longhaul drivers. Researcher Mona Shattell, professor and chairwoman of the Department of Mental Health Nursing at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, interviewed 60 truck drivers and found 76.3% reported one or more physical health problems, but only 18.7% admitted to feeling anxiety and depression on the job. She believes the actual number is much higher.

“The problem is likely underreported because just the act of checking a box that says ‘yes you’re depressed’ makes it real, but then they’re faced with what to do about it,” Shattell said.

“Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough work done on this issue. We know there is depression, anxiety, and some PTSD among truck drivers, but we don’t know to what extent,” she continued, referring to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

One reason for depression and anxiety is the amount of time spent away from family, reasoned Suson and Clark. Both said that they are on the road between 300 and 335 days per year as owner-operators, which makes it difficult to form an in-person support group or set appointments with a doctor.

But Facebook is a platform that connects people around the world.

“People have contacted us from the U.K., other places in Europe and even Australia,” said Clark, although he estimated 95% of the members are located in North America. “It’s heartwarming to see that so many people care, but it’s also heartbreaking to see how many people are affected.” Anonymity is one concern because any Facebook post also includes a name, which an employer could trace to an employee. But Donna Underwood, director of safety and human resources at Steelman, explained that there are ways to contact them privately.

“You can post on our page that you want to talk and someone will personally message you back and get on the phone. We have five people, including me, Michael and Erin, who are willing to talk to anyone,” Underwood said.

There also is a link to request a phone call that allows someone to get in touch without making a public post, and there’s a contact form on the Truckers for Truckers website that does not require typing in a name.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said drivers cannot get a CDL if they have a mental disease that would affect their ability to safely operate a truck. An agency spokesman added that it’s up to an FMCSA-certified medical examiner to evaluate any depression or anxiety to determine the severity.