COVID-19 smashing the stigma in mental health – a strategic blueprint for change/support
Anna Feringa A C and Nada Wentzel B CA The Jonah Group, 3/93–95 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee, NSW 2034, Australia.
B The Jonah Group, 2/61 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia.
C Corresponding authors. Email: Anna.Feringa@jonahgroup.com.au; Nada.wentzel@jonahgroup.com.au
The APPEA Journal 61(1) 12-15 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ20103
Submitted: 17 December 2020 Accepted: 10 March 2021 Published: 2 July 2021
Abstract
This paper is an update on the article, ‘Smashing the stigma in mental health – a strategic blueprint for change’ (Feringa and Wentzel 2020). The oil and gas industry has endured a significant impact under COVID-19 including economic downturn and growing uncertainty, exposing the effect on human vulnerability. The state of human vulnerability under the pandemic has accelerated mental health from ‘risk’ to ‘critical risk’ in the workplace, particularly in an industry that is underpinned by high-risk operations. Mental health is one of the biggest risks to the oil and gas industry today. The necessary response to this risk is a cohesive, customisable approach that is accessible for organisations to implement, as opposed to the more common experience, which sees a series of individual initiatives put into place in a reactive ad hoc approach.
Keywords: pandemic, COVID-19, human vulnerability, workplace mental health, mental health blueprint, leadership capability, stigma, culture change, workplace safety, mental illness, prevention, management, cost–benefit, improved performance, absenteeism, presenteeism, performance management, human reliability, psychological safety.
Anna Feringa is the Director at Anna Feringa Consulting Pty Ltd and Mental Health Director at The Jonah Group. Anna is a highly experienced workplace mental health consultant and international speaker in Organisational Psychology. With over 17 years working with Australian businesses in personal injury, mental health leadership and psychological risks prevention and management, Anna lends herself to designing and implementing psychological safety frameworks for Australian businesses and various government agencies. Anna holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), and is a member of the Charles Sturt University Golden Key Society for high Academic Achievement. Anna is a certified Disability Management Practitioner (CDMP) and Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. She has worked with several organisations to design and co-create award winning mental health and wellbeing programs for Australian workplaces. |
Nada Wentzel is the Executive Coach and Global Solutions Director at The Jonah Group. Nada is a highly sought after global executive coach and thought partner. She works with global organisations to design and deliver integrated solutions that achieve sustainable change in safety, leadership and mental wellbeing. She is co-founder of The Jonah Group and has over 25 years of experience in transport, oil, gas, mining, power and explosives manufacturing. She holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) and started her career as an Offshore Engineer with ExxonMobil and played a senior role in the Longford Crisis Management Team in 1998. In 1998 she was involved in serious fire incident which resulted in 35% burns to her body. This led her to re-evaluate her career and pursue a Master’s in Social Ecology and Organisational Change and qualifications in coaching and neuroscience. She loves Japanese whisky, dark chocolate and lounge room dancing. She is happily married with two children and lives in Byron Bay. |
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