Over a quarter of van drivers suffer mental health issues
Wed, 05 Nov 2025
One in four UK van drivers have experienced issues relating to their mental health over the last year, according to new research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The study shows almost two-thirds of van drivers (63%) report feeling stressed or overwhelmed every month, citing the cost of living and long working hours as their primary concerns.
The survey took place as part of International Stress Awareness Week (3-7 November), with the company urging van drivers to prioritise their mental health due to the significant impact that working long hours can bring.
An overwhelming majority or respondents (75%) said have turned down work due to mental health issues, according to the survey of a thousand UK van drivers. And, for a third, this equated to missing out on at least one working week.
Van drivers cited the cost-of-living crisis as the leading cause of stress (36%) while work/life balance (28%) and overworking (27%) affected over a quarter of UK drivers. Almost two in five van drivers (39%) report feeling overwhelmed by work–life balance every week, up from 30% the previous year.
Craig Cavanagh, mental health first aider at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says: "Driver wellbeing has always been a priority of ours, and we encourage van drivers and companies to take the issue seriously.
"We understand the struggles faced by our customers as they navigate long hours and cost of living pressures. Which is why, this International Stress Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on the impact that these challenges can have on our mental health, as we urge van drivers to prioritise their wellbeing."
Further resources and tools for International Stress Awareness Week can be found here.
