MaxiTRANS continues to drive awareness for mental health
Leading trailer manufacturer, MaxiTRANS, has raised $11,982.09 for mental health awareness via a campaign for ‘R U OK? Day‘.
The company again committed to donating 1% of transactions on a specific day to the cause after a successful 2017 campaign raised
‘R U OK? Day‘ is held every September and encourages people to ask friends, colleagues and family members ‘R U OK?‘ to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
“‘R U OK? Day‘ is a national day of action to remind us to ask, ‘Are you okay?‘ of anyone struggling with life,” said MaxiTRANS managing director and CEO, Dean Jenkins. “This, combined with genuine interest and follow-through in the response, could save a life.”
Jenkins said the most recent data reports that deaths from suicide equate to around 3000 per year, or about eight people every day.
“For every death by suicide, it is estimated 30 people will attempt to take their life. It‘s an important issue that should not be forgotten as an industry when we are discussing employee safety and wellbeing.”
MaxiTRANS Australia and New Zealand, its parts network MaxiPARTS, and Mildura Truck Centre outlets joined together to support the cause, with 1% of the purchase price from all new trailers, truck bodies ordered, and parts purchased from participating outlets, being contributed to the cause.
MaxiTRANS‘ donation will go towards ‘R U OK?‘s work which aims to empower everyone to have the confidence and skills to have a conversation with someone who may be struggling with life.
MaxiTRANS also conducted a company-wide campaign for its employees, which included staff making gold coin donations, being encouraged to dress in yellow, and internal events at every company site to promote discussion around mental health prevention.
Jenkins said that mental health forms part of one of the company‘s values to send all their people home safely.
“MaxiTRANS is committed to improving safety for both our customers and our employees,” he said. “We place significant emphasis on safety in our own manufacturing and service facilities as well as designing our products for safe operation by owners and operators. Safety extends to mental wellbeing, not only at work but also at home. Which is why in addition to the mental awareness campaign, we also make professional services available to our employees and their families as part of ongoing support.”
Jenkins said we should not limit focusing on suicide prevention to one day a year.
“If you see someone struggling, at any time, ask them ‘R U OK?‘”
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp.
