Out of concern for the mental well-being of truck drivers during the pandemic, ABR, the Brazilian Tyre Retreaders Association, has launches the Ombro Amigo (Friendly Shoulder) Programme.
Support Offered for Haulage Professionals
Carried out in partnership with the Faculty of Psychology of UNIC Beira Rio, in Mato Grosso, and with support from the Ministry of Infrastructure, the pilot project aims to bring free psychological assistance to road professionals, in order to help them overcome the difficulties these professionals go through.
“Being away from the family, being alone for a long time, is something that has always been part of the truck driver's routine. However, with the pandemic this situation has worsened. Professionals return less and less to their homes for fear of contaminating their family members and this reality causes stress for truck drivers who do not have a friendly shoulder to lean on,” explained Margareth Buzetti, president of ABR.
At the Ombro Amigo, the truck driver will be able to make virtual consultations via teams with psychology interns from the institution. In the first stage of the programme, service will be provided from April 5 to May 28, totaling eight weeks of the project. Up to 24 calls per week will be offered, which creates the possibility of 192 calls to truck drivers in this period”. The idea is that activities will recommence in August.
“Our idea is that the pilot programme will start in Mato Grosso but spread throughout Brazil and supported by the strength of the retreaders’ network,” explained Buzetti.
