Mental health and the resources sector: findings from a research program to promote effective mental health solutions
Carole L. James A * , Anna Giacomini A , Frances Kay-Lambkin A , Mark Rubin B and Brian Kelly AA The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
B Durham University, Durham, UK.
The APPEA Journal 62 S282-S286 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21142
Accepted: 15 March 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
This paper outlines a multifaceted national workplace mental health research program that incorporated assessment of individual level, work characteristics and organisational factors on mental health among workers in the resources sector within Australia and internationally. This multistep program included: identification of level of mental health and substance use problems in an Australian national study; examination of risk and protective factors (work roles, social networks and location); attitudes to seeking mental health assistance; organisational policies regarding mental health within a workplace health and safety framework; piloting a resources-specific workplace mental health program for team leaders and supervisors and a workplace suicide prevention program; and application of digital mental health interventions to this sector. Additional linked studies in New South Wales and Queensland in the resources sector assessed personal factors influencing perception of workplace physical risks and hazards, risk behaviours and opportunities for risk mitigation; and links between mental and physical health factors. A summary of the key findings are presented within the context of a program of research addressing mental health within remote settings in the resources sector. Mental health-related problems are highly prevalent among workers in remote resource settings, which has significant implications for workplace health and safety. Strategies to address prevention and effective intervention need to be tailored to the industry and employee characteristics, and address models of mental health care that are feasible and accessible in often remote and challenging environments.
Keywords: alcohol, health and safety, mental health, occupational health, remote work, resources sector, worker wellbeing, workplace health.
Carole James is a Professor in the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing and Associate Director for the Centre for Resources Health and Safety (CRHS) at the University of Newcastle. A long history as a practicing occupational therapy clinician, focused mainly in the areas of workplace injury management, rehabilitation and injury prevention, has informed Carole’s research directions. She has been involved in collaborative research with industry to investigate issues of mental health and workplace mental health interventions, musculoskeletal injuries and obesity management. |
Professor Anna Giacomini received her PhD (Civil Engineering) in 2003 from the University of Parma, Italy, and joined the University of Newcastle in 2005; she has been working in the area of Rock Mechanics for more than 20 years, and is committed to the deployment of innovations in engineering that promote and improve safety in civil and mining environments. Anna is currently the Director of the Priority Research Centre of Geotechnical Science and Engineering in the University of Newcastle’s College of Engineering, Science and Environment, leading a team of 18 researchers. |
Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin is a NHMRC Leadership Fellow (2021–2025) at the University of Newcastle and Director (Technology, Innovation & Translation) for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (PREMISE). She leads an international team of researchers, clinicians and industry partners in the innovative development and translation of evidence-based treatments for comorbid mental and physical disorders. She is the current President of the Society for Mental Health Research (the peak body for mental health research in Australia and New Zealand). Frances has been recently appointment to the NHMRC Research Committee (2021–2024) and Chair of the Women in Health Science Committee. Frances also sits on the Board of Directors for Orygen, National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health, serves on the Million Minds Mission Advisory Panel, is Co-chair of Australia’s first CTN in Youth Mental Health and part of the Steering Committee for the National Ageing Research Institute. |
Mark Rubin received an MSc in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics (1994) and a PhD in Social Psychology from Cardiff University (2000). He currently holds honorary positions at the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne. He is a member of the Centre for Resources Health and Safety at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources. For information about Mark’s research, please see: https://sites.google.com/site/markrubinsocialpsychresearch/. |
Professor Brian Kelly is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Newcastle, supporting the needs of the institution’s research community and collaborators in partnership with our colleges and external partners. Professor Kelly has clinical and research expertise in psychiatry including industry collaboration in mental health research and has been Director of the Centre for Resources Health and Safety within the University’s Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER). |
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