STEEL products manufacturer BlueScope has announced its commitment to mental health and wellbeing by joining the Heads in Trucks & Sheds Foundation (HHTS), as a National Highway sponsor.

HHTS is an industry umbrella body specifically created to improve mental health and physical wellbeing across the road transport, warehousing and logistics sector.

Earlier this year the Foundation launched the three-year National Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadmap, providing all operators with access to the tools and resources needed to build healthier and thriving working environments.

Through this sponsorship, BlueScope is committed to embedding the Roadmap, playing a role in raising awareness and building cultures where workers, employers, managers and leaders know they can reach out for support when they need it.

Jeff Moore, manager supply chain at BlueScope Australian Steel Products said, “At BlueScope, we know how vital this industry is, we want to play our part in driving awareness and change, building greater resilience across the workforce and ensuring people feel heard when it comes to the challenges they may face.

“We respect and value the work our driver-partners do.

“The important initiatives and projects carried out by HHTS are pivotal to building better work cultures and breaking down the stigma that exists around mental health.”

Mr Moore said Bluescope is committed to working closely with HHTS and taking the necessary steps to make sure everyone across the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries have access to the information, tools and resources they need.

HHTS CEO Naomi Frauenfelder said, “We are delighted to work with organisations like BlueScope who are committed to taking steps toward better mental health and physical wellbeing of the wider industry.

“The need to address key industry mental health risk factors is well overdue, with 38.2% of workers diagnosed with a mental health condition saying that their workplace caused or exacerbated it, according to SuperFriend.

“With the support of BlueScope, we are able to continue delivering on key initiatives and projects nationally,” Ms Frauenfelder said.