The oil and gas industry has joined forces to continue its commitment to mental health and wellbeing for all of stakeholders.

APPEA, the Australian Resources & Energy Group AMMA, and Safer Together have launched the Mental Health and Wellbeing Implementation Guideline, which offers ways to support the mental wellbeing of those working in the industry across various levels of an organisation including peers, supervisors, and executives.

APPEA chief executive officer Andrew McConville said it was important for the industry to follow a set of guidelines to support mental health.

“This guideline is an important tool for APPEA members to consolidate and review their mental health policies and programs, while encouraging consistency across the industry,” Mr McConville said.

“Australia’s oil and gas industry is committed to the mental health and wellbeing of all its workers, contractors and their families.”

The focus areas involve championing wellbeing culture and leadership, promoting wellbeing, protecting mental health, and supporting people.

Recommendations include:

• Supervisors, managers, and executives to ensure time and resources
  for the workforce to proactively manage their wellbeing
• Peer supporters and wellbeing champions to complete company-specific mental health and wellbeing training
• Everyone to speak up if they are concerned or require support for themselves or a colleague

The guideline complements AMMA’s Resource and Energy Industry Workforce Mental Health Framework.

AMMA chief executive officer Steve Knott said the framework would assist with overcoming the industry’s mental health issues.

“The Resources and Energy Industry Workforce Mental Health Framework is AMMA’s latest initiative to assist employers, providing a new practical framework to help navigate the industry’s distinct workforce mental health challenges,” Mr Knott said.

According to suicide prevention charity MATES in Construction, suicide rates were 80 per cent higher in the energy, mining and construction industries compared to the general working age population and one in five Australian resources and energy industry workers experience a mental health condition each year.

The issue extends globally, with London company Herts Tools finding that 21 per cent of construction employees experienced bullying in the past year, particularly those new to the industry. The findings were reported in the lead up to World Mental Health Day on October 10.

National Mental Health Month is an initiative by Mental Health Foundation Australia. If you or someone close to you needs assistance, support services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Lifeline (13 11 14), Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) (1300 555 788), MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78) or from your company’s Employee Assistance Program.

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