The taxi sector is eventually going to experience a mental health crisis due to systemic issues that hinder constructive changes. Society has made progress in accepting and addressing mental health, but cab drivers are still hesitant to seek professional help for fear of losing their jobs.
Authorities often give superficial advice about mental health resources, fully aware that drivers will not use them due to the licensing implications. This pat on the back does not touch on the main issue: a sense that seeking help could lead to loss of livelihood.
In recent times however, there have been improvements in our approach towards mental health. Not being ashamed and discussing openly have made it easier for many people to admit when they are struggling. But there is still stigma attached to mental illness in certain industries and a fear of job loss continues to keep many suffering persons silent.
One in four adults will be affected by a mental health problem each year in UK. A significant proportion of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers come from this statistic since they work long hours and alone most of the time. A Mind report says that only around 1/3rd of people with common mental health disorders receive any treatment; usually medication.
Every week, one out of every six individuals in England will report suffering from some form or another common mental disorder like anxiety or depression. In England alone, there were 346,000 licensed taxi and private hire drivers by 2023. Just by the law averages tens of thousands might be experiencing something during any given week let alone need some help. However, such demo-graphical truth rarely finds its way into the hands of those who need it most –the drivers themselves.
In an interview with Timeshub UK, one employee of Green Line Cars – Guildford Taxi Company said:
“When you consult your GP for anything related to your Mental Health his/her notes may well disclose what you’ve said so how am I supposed discuss my situation with DVLA let alone my licensing authority without jeopardising my license?”
Mental problems escalate among cabbies because their sedentary workdays and long hours of working alone without any interaction, together with poor eating habits, are conducive to that stressful life. Drivers often belong to self-help groups like WhatsApp where they can share coping mechanisms since there is no formal support. While this is well-intentioned, it lacks professional supervision and can sometimes even make things worse.
Such licensing authorities have made what are essentially token efforts in pointing drivers towards mental health charities as well as GPs knowing that the fear of losing their license will mean most people won’t take up on these offers. For instance, DVLA’s stringent Group 2 medical criteria discourage cabbies from handling mental health issues.
The taxi drivers themselves are left with no support systems hence they remain trapped in this profession due to a fear of professional consequences. In order for the industry to fully address its hidden “crisis” therefore, regulators should be encouraged by changing their policies so that drivers who need help would not face risks of losing their livelihoods.
Until cab drivers can visit psychologists without having to worry about job security such problems will keep escalating in the industry.
