Trucker Creates Facebook Group to Open Dialogue on Depression
An Oklahoma man launched a Facebook group last month after two truck drivers that he knew committed suicide within two weeks of each other. Depression affects approximately 14.8 million Americans or about 6.7% of adults and is the leading cause of disability for Americans from 15 to 44, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Michael Suson created a Facebook group called “Truckers for Truckers” on June 19 with the help of co-worker Erin Clark. It already has more than 1,200 members. Sason and Clark have been longhaul truck drivers since 1994 and work for Steelman Transportation, a flatbed carrier based in Springfield, Missouri, and knew both people who committed suicide.
Tim Spencer, who also drove for Steelman, shot himself with a gun June 3 inside his truck on the company lot. 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.” 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 Sason. “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 chair of mental health nursing at Rush University, 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration told Transport Topics that drivers cannot get a CDL if they have a mental disease that would affect their ability to safely operate a truck. The agency adds that it’s up to an FMCSA certified medical examiner to evaluate any depression or anxiety to determine the severity.
“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.”
One reason for depression and anxiety is the amount of time spent away from family, according to Suson and Clark. Both estimate 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. Donna Underwood, director of safety and human resources at Steelman, explains 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 on the page to request a phone call that allows someone to reach out without a public post and a contact page on the Truckers for Truckers website that does not require typing in a name.
