By Dr Louise Slaney, medical director at International Medical Management (IMM)

If further evidence is required of how mental health is climbing the energy industry agenda, then we need look no further than a recent event held in Aberdeen.

The session, focused on how we improve mental health services and hosted by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), brought together more than 200 industry professionals to explore the way ahead.

Even more encouraging than the scale of participation and engagement, however, was the sense of commitment to practical action which emerged from the round table discussions.

A white paper prepared by the North Sea Chapter of the IADC in advance of the event presents a stark picture of mental health problems in our industry. 

It references a study which found no fewer than 40% experienced suicidal thoughts some or all of the time while on duty. Nearly one third met the benchmark for clinical depression. 

Amid an acknowledged mental health crisis in the wider population the Office of National Statistics research found rates of depression in Britain doubled from one in ten in March 2020 to one in five in November 2021 with specific issues amplifying the problem among those working offshore.

As the IADC white paper articulates, issues related to isolation, separation from family, the cyclical nature of activity and negative perceptions of the oil & gas industry “has created a tipping point for many individuals working in the sector”.

The report also raises the correlation between accidents at work and mental health; the consequences of a lapse of concentration offshore due to stress, anxiety or lack of sleep hardly need spelt out here.

The response to the IADC initiative during the event at Aberdeen’s Chester Hotel suggests, however, that there is a real industry intention to move the needle on mental health. A lot is happening, but more can – and must – be done. 

The central proposition of the paper is to drive cultural change from the top down to ensure the industry takes a holistic approach to mental health support. At the same time, as one contributor at the IADC event remarked, “workforce empowerment is also key”.  

The catalyst for this drive will be the establishment of a mental health charter by the industry that sets out, among other objectives, the principles of a safe psychological and caring working environment as well as a minimum standard for mental health care provision. A voluntary initiative, it is also likely to reference training for industry leaders on people skills and championing the use of existing mental health tools.

It’s a great idea, one that creates a uniform model and – as another speaker at the event observed – could help to sidestep the fragmented approach our industry can sometimes be accused of taking. It will certainly mean individual companies are better equipped to shape a proactive, integrated health and wellbeing strategy, something that is central to our thinking and client offering at IMM.

Work on creating the industry charter is getting under way soon and we look forward to contributing to its development in any way we can. I agree with the viewpoint of one event attendee who said there’s no overnight fix, but it’s another big step in the right direction. 

It is a critically important one to take. As the white paper says, lives depend on it. 

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week – May 15 to 21. The issues and the importance of seeking support will again be in the spotlight – and that’s where they should remain.

Dr Louise Slaney is medical director with Aberdeen-based International Medical Management. IMM provides occupational health, medical and other services to the onshore and offshore energy sectors. 

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