Resources and energy industry action: AREEA's workforce mental health initiative

Struggling to find industry-specific information about mentally healthy workplaces, employers in the resources and energy sector turned to their peak industry body, the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA).

Employers were looking for information to address industry-specific issues such as remote operating locations and fly-in fly-out workforces. They also wanted ways to share information and learn from each other.  

AREEA established a Mental Health Advisory Board, which develops and delivers industry-specific programs and identifies best practice mental health and wellbeing initiatives, such as: 

• a framework outlining the key areas that contribute to mental health at work in the industry 
• a knowledge hub of curated information about mental health at work 
• monthly webinars to share insights and guidance from experts, researchers, mental health leaders and companies in the industry 
• national research into mental health in the industry 
• annual industry awards that recognise emerging good practice.  

These activities have raised general awareness of mental health at work in the industry, and are helping clarify key concepts for employers. Smaller organisations and those with limited internal resources are especially benefiting.  

AREEA identified some key lessons for others: 

• Make a start somewhere.  
• Co-design initiatives with employers and their workforces.  
• Find people in your industry who are passionate about mental health and will advocate for collective action.  
• Recognise it may take a while for people to get involved and for action to gain momentum.  

“Do something that gets people together. People sometimes … don’t know where to start. If people are at least coming together and talking about it, that’s a really good place to start.”

Tom Reid, AREEA Head of Policy and Public Affairs