In case you missed it!
Last month AREEA released a new research project offering unprecedented insights into the mental health of resources and energy employees.
Using data collected from more than 1100 employees, the Resources and Energy Workforce and Leaders Mental Health Research was an Australian-first national research project covering the mining, oil and gas and allied service sectors to the resources industry.
Facilitated by AREEA and undertaken independently by specialist psychology firm Mindshape, the research reveals key statistics relating to:
- Depression, Anxiety and Stress
- Distress
- Resilience
- Sleep
- Alcohol use
- Coping approaches
- Decision-making styles
- Quality of life
- Impact of life events
- Corporate mental health and wellbeing service use and satisfaction
- Sleep issues
While the project found resources and energy employees are coping comparatively well with the added stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, further education was key.
“Providing mental health education to staff – especially to leaders and managers – is important to help recognise, understand, empathise with and manage the signs and symptoms of depression and stress,” AREEA Director Operations Tara Diamond said.
The research coincides with AREEA in 2021 developing industry’s first Workforce Mental Health Framework helping employers understand and deal with sector-specific mental health issues.
The Resources and Energy Workforce Mental Health Research was guided by AREEA’s Mental Health Advisory Board. Phase 2 is scheduled to take place in 2022. AREEA invites resources and energy employers to learn how they can be involved in the program (enquire via [email protected]).
Visit the research landing page to read the report and / or watch a short video summarising key findings.
Specialist mental health training
To assist resources and energy employers in driving continual improvement in workforce mental health, AREEA provides industry specialist group-based training that provides awareness and practical tools for managing sector-specific mental health challenges.
The AREEA facilitated program includes the expertise of a workplace mental health and wellbeing specialist, who has delivered workplace mental health training at Beyond Blue for 15 years.
The program provides participants key insights, applications and practical activities as they relate to important mental health workplace concepts and frameworks. It also includes a module specific to the physical and psychological workplace changes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program was also developed under the guidance of AREEA’s Mental Health Advisory Board. To cater for site and workplace restrictions, it is presently delivered as an online, three-hour interactive program.
View the course details.