This ‘Resources Industry Mental Health Check-In Week’ AREEA encourages organisations to be true leaders in mental health and partner with the One Million Lives’ initiative, which aims to have 5000 people across the sector gain an important an insight into their own mental health and wellbeing..webp)
The meaningful initiative is a shared vision by global engineering firm Jacobs and renowned Australian Psychologist Peta Slocombe, which offers an easy-to-use QR code on their mobile device or PC here to “check-in” for the people of our industry to gain an insight into their own mental health and wellbeing.
We encourage organisations to give their workforce the opportunity to stop and check in on their devices in all work locations.
Employees can utilise the “check-in” mobile app completely free-of-charge, taking 5-7 minutes to receive a private score and report detailing the current state of their mental health.
“By having your crews, teams, office colleagues, meetings start the day with 5 minutes to do a private mental health check on their devices, you will give them a program, resources, and a dashboard to share with family or GPs,” Ms Slocombe said.
“It can shorten the time from starting to struggle, to getting the right support, by up to 11 years statistically.”
AREEA is proud to support One Million Lives as another important step towards breaking down the stigma and encouraging awareness and conversations amongst employees about looking after their mental health.
For more information go to the website here or check out the information pack here.
Mental health in focus
With October being National Mental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to pause and really think about our health and wellbeing, while raising awareness and support of mental health issues.
With 1-in-5 Australian resources and energy industry employees reported to experience a mental health condition each year, AREEA is proud to assist employers in our shared commitment to building and maintaining mentally healthy workplaces.
We play a leading role in sharing best practices on how to address and manage workplace mental health, with many initiatives delivering real and positive mental health outcomes, including:
✔️ Resources and Energy Mental Health Research Program: Delivering detailed findings on the workforce impact of COVID-19 via a survey and company report with specific recommendations to maximise productivity, improve wellbeing of leaders and employees and assist in the recovery from COVID-19 impacts.
📑 The Resources & Energy Workforce Mental Health Framework: Assisting employers to build & maintain mentally healthy workplaces, supporting navigation of sector-specific workforce mental health issues and driving continual improvement in workforce mental health policies and initiatives. View the Framework online, or download a printable PDF here.
We also offer industry specialist mental health training program, focused on building awareness and practical tools for managing resources and energy specific mental health challenges.
If you have any questions, feedback or would like to learn more about how AREEA can assist your organisation’s mental health and wellness journey, please contact [email protected].
Oil and Gas Industry unites for Mental Health
APPEA, Safer Together and AREEA joined forces to recently release a national ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Implementation Guideline’.
“As we look to this year’s National Mental Health Month, it’s important to highlight the continued and shared commitment of resources and energy employers to building and maintaining mentally healthy workplaces,” AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott said.
“The Resources and Energy Industry Workforce Mental Health Framework is AREEA’s latest initiative to assist employers, providing a new practical framework to help navigate the industry’s distinct workforce mental health challenges.
“This Framework is complemented by APPEA’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Implementation Guideline and works alongside it as a valuable resource for resources and energy employers.”
APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the guideline is an important tool for companies to consolidate and review their mental health policies and programs, while encouraging consistency across the industry.
“We partner with Safer Together and AREEA to provide best-practice resources to members and APPEA members already provide free access to Employee Assistance Programs, mental health and wellbeing awareness training, and trained peer supporters among other measures,” he said.
“Australia’s oil and gas industry is committed to the mental health and wellbeing of all its workers, contractors and their families.”
The guideline complements AREEA’s Resources and Energy Industry Workforce Mental Health Framework.
This guideline is split into four distinct sections covering various facets of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace:
- Champion wellbeing culture and leadership
- Promote wellbeing
- Protect mental health
- Support people
It encourages employers to ensure they are supportive of their workers’ needs and spending sufficient time and resources into proactive management of wellbeing, while also ensuring employees feel comfortable to speak up if they are struggling or require support.
The resources and energy sectors can be demanding work environments, with employees often living and working in remote areas for extended periods. And like nearly all work sectors, there are the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to consider.
This guideline is an important tool for APPEA members to consolidate and review their mental health policies and programs, to continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all oil and gas workers and their families.
The full guideline is available as a PDF via the links below:
For more information about National Mental Health Month or World Mental Health Day, visit the following websites:
