WHITE van men are four times more prone to anxiety and depression than the average person, says a survey.
They suffer from long days alone and get less holiday.
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Two thirds struggle with their mental health, against the overall average of one in six, while nine in ten feel lonely, the Mercedes-Benz Vans poll shows.
A third have fewer than three conversations a day, spending up to 25 hours a week alone.
Paul Murphy, a healthcare company driver, said: “Sometimes you feel like you’re living in your own head with no one else, particularly those on longer routes who only have a few conversations every day.
“Without talking, a small problem can fester.”
A separate poll for travel company TUI also found that white van men typically got 12 days less holiday a year than 9-to-5 workers.
Football pundit Chris Kamara is launching Vantasy Football, a tournament bringing drivers together at St George’s Park near Burton, Staffs.
Chris said: “Spending time on your own, not talking to people, these things have a real impact on mental health.
“The camaraderie of sport is such a great way to overcome loneliness.”