A veteran truck driver has taken it upon himself to reach out to colleagues who are struggling with depression. Michael Suson created the Facebook page “Truckers for Truckers” to give drivers a place to go when they need someone to listen.
The page has six members, including Suson and his stepson Robert Davis, who have committed to talking with truckers facing feelings of hopelessness, loneliness or sadness any time of the day, any day of the year. In addition, more than 200 other followers spread messages of hope to anyone who posts.
Suson hopes to grow the page’s membership and to eventually create a hotline for truck drivers who need help.
With the advent of social media, more and more of these types of groups are popping up. Groups like LOADS (Loved Ones and Driver’s Support) that have been around since the early 1990s are also on Facebook and other social media sites helping both drivers and at-home spouses deal with these same issues.
There’s becoming less and less reason for truckers or their families from feeling alone and hopeless.
