🧠 Truck Drivers Are Breaking Mentally — Insight from University of South Australia Study Explains Why

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Jun 06, 2025
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Mental Health Crisis on Wheels. Australian-led research reveals a national emergency: truck drivers are breaking down mentally.

Welcome to ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST—where real studies are explained simply for ages 14 to 70. Today’s focus: the hidden mental toll of long-haul driving. The findings aren’t just a warning—they’re a siren.

(👉 Full study link at the bottom if you want to read or download it yourself. )

🔍 Quick Q&A – What This Study Found

Who Did This Research and When?

The paper was published in 2022 by an Australian research team.

Which University or Centre?

University of South Australia (UniSA) led the study
In collaboration with multiple research hospitals and institutions across Australia

These researchers are respected experts in public health and mental health science, with dozens of peer-reviewed papers published.

How Prestigious Is This Study?

It was published in BMC Public Health, one of the most cited global journals in health science — trusted by academics and health professionals worldwide.

❗ What Was This Research About?

The researchers looked at over 50 previous studies on long-haul truck drivers from around the world to answer this question:

How bad is the mental health situation for truck drivers — and why is it happening?

Who Was Studied?

Long-distance truck drivers
Across countries like Australia, the USA, Canada, Brazil, and more

What Methods Did They Use?

A systematic review — where researchers look at dozens of studies to find reliable patterns and trends
Focused on depression, anxiety, loneliness, substance use, and suicide risk

💥 What Did They Find?

1. Mental Health Struggles Are Extremely Common

This study pulled together results from 50 different research papers across multiple countries, focusing on long-haul truck drivers. The findings are shocking:

📊 Depression:

Rates of clinical depression in truck drivers ranged from 19% to 27% in multiple studies.
One Australian study reported that 26.9% of truck drivers screened positive for depressive symptoms.
In comparison, the general population sits at around 10-12%, meaning truck drivers are 2–3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

📊 Anxiety:

14% to 21% of drivers reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
In a U.S. study cited in the review, 20.6% of drivers showed clinically significant anxiety levels.

📊 Loneliness:

While exact numbers vary, qualitative reports and interviews describe profound and persistent loneliness among drivers.
Many drivers reported feeling socially isolated for days or weeks at a time due to long hauls and poor communication access.

📊 Stress & Burnout:

Up to 50% of surveyed drivers reported chronic work-related stress.
One study reported 40% of drivers met criteria for high emotional exhaustion, a core symptom of burnout.
Another found that nearly 1 in 3 drivers experienced stress levels high enough to interfere with daily functioning.

📊 Hopelessness & Suicidal Thoughts:

A smaller study cited in the review found that 13% of drivers had suicidal ideation at some point during their career.
Hopelessness was frequently mentioned in qualitative interviews, with drivers saying they felt "trapped," "forgotten," or like they were “just machines moving freight.”

These are not small numbers. Behind the wheel of every truck is a person — often silently dealing with serious mental strain. Long hours, isolation, poor sleep, and lack of support combine into what this study calls a "perfect storm" for mental health decline.

✅ What This Means for Truck Drivers Using EMS

While EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is not a mental health tool, it may:

Help relieve physical tension that builds from long hours sitting
Provide short breaks of physical stimulation, which can feel uplifting
Support a sense of self-care during rest stops

Even 10 minutes of EMS during a break can support your overall wellness routine — and give your body a bit of what your job takes away.

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Our EMS device is designed for real working bodies — to support recovery, movement, and peace of mind, even when life won’t slow down.

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📚 Link to the Full Study

Want to see it all yourself? Download or read the full study here:
👉 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12850-5
Published by BMC Public Health, a top-tier, peer-reviewed medical journal.

🧠 About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

We simplify real research from trusted universities and journals.
Our goal? To inspire curiosity — and help you take small, informed steps to feel better every day.

Even if you're not a “science person,” we write so you can understand and decide what works for you.

💬 Let’s Talk

Are you a truck driver or know someone who is?
Have you seen signs of stress, sadness, or burnout?

Leave a comment below. You never know who else might relate or feel less alone by reading your story.

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About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

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