🚗 Driving Better Mental Health: Support When It’s Needed Most
Every year, World Mental Health Day reminds us that caring for our mental wellbeing is just as essential as maintaining our vehicles.
This year’s theme “Access to Mental Health Services in Times of Crisis” encourages reflection on how easily people can reach help, especially in sectors like ours.In the automotive industry, pressure is real. According to Ben’s 2024 Health & Wellbeing Report, more than 57% of automotive workers reported high stress, 52% poor sleep, 44% anxiety, and 41% low mood.
Nearly 1 in 9 respondents also said they felt unsupported by their employer when it came to mental health, a reminder that awareness must be backed by action.
That’s where organisations like Ben – the automotive industry charity come in. They offer free, confidential help for anyone in our sector facing stress, burnout, anxiety or life challenges, and they’ve recently expanded their online tools, including SilverCloud, a digital therapy platform for managing stress, anxiety and sleep.
🧩 Why Mental Health Support in Motoring Matters
- The financial toll on the industry
Mental health challenges could cost automotive employers up to £1.2 billion a year through lost productivity, sickness absence, and turnover.
👉 Source: Alliance Automotive Group / Ben Whitepaper - Industry-wide action
The Motor Ombudsman recently partnered with Ben to create STEER, a quick-reference guide designed to help automotive leaders recognise and respond to mental health challenges in their workforce.
👉 Read about the partnership - Leading by example
High-profile figures like Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff have spoken openly about their struggles with depression, burnout, and isolation, helping to break stigma at every level of the industry.
👉 Lewis Hamilton interview – Reuters
👉 Toto Wolff interview – The Guardian
🌲 The Healing Power of Nature & “Vanlife”
For many, stepping away from the workshop and onto winding roads, green hills, or coastal campsites isn’t just an escape, it’s healing. The #vanlife and outdoor living community show just how powerful nature, connection, and slower living can be for mental wellbeing.
- Studies show that spending just two hours per week in nature can significantly lift mood, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing.
👉 Source: Medium – The Rise of Vanlife & Mental Wellness - In the RV and motorhome community, the lifestyle is strongly linked to greater happiness, lower anxiety, and stronger family bonds.
👉 Source: RVIA – Emotional Wellbeing in RV Lifestyles - Vanlife enthusiasts also report feeling more autonomous and free from day-to-day pressures, reconnecting with what matters most.
👉 Source: Vanlifers.com – The Impact of Van Life on Mental Health
This connection to nature and freedom of the open road is something many in the motoring community already share, whether through classic car weekends, motorhome getaways, or simply taking time to drive with no destination in mind.
Even short breaks in green spaces can calm the mind, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), and help us reconnect with ourselves and others.
If you own a motorhome, caravan or campervan, or even just love road trips. Remember that these experiences aren’t just “holidays.” They’re a powerful way to reset, reflect, and reconnect.
👩🔧 Women in the Industry: Voices, Challenges & Strength
In an industry historically dominated by men, women bring unique perspectives, and unique challenges. Representation, support, and openness are vital to ensuring that every professional in the automotive world feels seen and valued.
- Emelia Hartford, a race car driver and custom-car builder, has spoken about how grief and depression shaped her connection to the car community, and how building cars became an outlet for recovery and empowerment.
👉 Emelia Hartford on resilience - Patrice Banks, founder of Girls Auto Clinic Repair Center, created a space where women can learn car care confidently and safely, blending empowerment with education.
👉 Patrice Banks on breaking stereotypes - Helene Rother, one of the first women in vehicle interior design, paved the way for female creativity in automotive engineering.
👉 Helene Rother biography
In a traditionally male-dominated industry, women can face unique challenges, from finding their voice to building confidence in underrepresented spaces. By sharing stories, encouraging mentorship, and celebrating women in all corners of the automotive industry, we help shift the culture toward inclusivity, empathy, and wellbeing.
“Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself or for others… you can’t be heard if you don’t speak.” — Jessica Egerton, automotive professional (Source)
💬 Supportive Habits for Everyday Wellbeing
Protecting your mental health doesn’t always require big changes, it’s often the small, consistent actions that make the biggest difference.
- Pause & breathe. Short breaks throughout the day help reset your focus.
- Talk openly. Honest conversations make mental health part of the norm.
- Watch for signs. Fatigue, irritability, and withdrawal can signal overwhelm.
- Reach out early. Don’t wait until things feel unmanageable to seek support.
- Check in proactively. Ask “How are you feeling this afternoon?” or “How’s your morning going?”, smaller, more specific questions can open real dialogue, making it harder for someone to brush off their feelings with a “yeah, alright” or “I’m fine.”
- Set boundaries. Protect your time to rest, recharge, and disconnect.
- Get outdoors when you can. Even brief time in green spaces or a simple drive with the windows down can calm the nervous system.
- Use digital tools. Ben’s SilverCloud platform offers guided online support for managing stress, anxiety, and sleep.
👉 Access SilverCloud
📞 Where to Find Help
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available, confidential and free.
- Ben – Support for Automotive People
📞 08081 311 333 | 🌐 ben.org.uk - Mind – mind.org.uk
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7)
SHOUT – Text “SHOUT” to 85258 (24/7 text service)
🌱 Building a Healthier Industry
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every open conversation, every supportive gesture, every honest check-in helps.
✅ Leaders: Invest in wellbeing training and model vulnerability.
🤝 Colleagues: Check in regularly, especially on those who seem quiet or different to usual.
🧡 Everyone: Treat your mental health like vehicle maintenance, regular check-ups prevent breakdowns.
Together, we can make the motoring industry a place where wellbeing comes first, where reaching out is as natural as checking your oil or tyres.
Your journey can be smoother with the right tools, conversations, and support network beside you.
Written by Tiffany Evans, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Warranty Solutions Group.
