PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) this week launched a new blueprint to address mental health and wellbeing issues in the workforce.

MCA CEO Brendan Pearson said the development of the blueprint reflected the minerals sector’s recognition that industry had a key role to play in addressing mental illness and wellbeing.

“The blueprint for mental health in the mining industry provides a broad-based framework for best practice models of health and safety for the sector. This blueprint spells out goals and strategies for the promotion of health, prevention of mental health problems and response to those in need. It also describes programmes for supporting return to work, underpinned by an emphasis on robust evaluation,” Pearson said.

He noted that the blueprint recognised that support for workers in remote environments and their families was a key priority and an ongoing challenge for the industry.

“Mental illness can affect workplace productivity through absenteeism and 'presenteeism' and if problems are left unaddressed, it can also have an effect on the prevalence of accidental injury in the workplace.

“Despite the growing awareness of the importance of mental health, there is still much to do. The development and launch of the blueprint is an important step forward. It builds on research that has concluded that a broad multifaceted approach within an industry framework is most likely to deliver long-term results and bring best return on investment, both cost benefit and broader social benefit.”

The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) released its own mental health blueprint, based on a document developed by the MCA but tailored to suit the Western Australian resource industry context.

“Mental illness is a significant issue within the community and there is growing appreciation for how mental health issues may manifest in the workplace,” said CME deputy CEO Nicole Roocke.

“CME recognises there is an important role for all workplaces to play in promoting wellbeing and addressing the risks and impact of mental illness.”

The CME blueprint identified key directions for the industry and recommended evidence-based strategies that could be applied at company and site level.

Roocke said the case for addressing mental health in the workplace was supported by clear benefits for individuals, as well as potential improvements to productivity, recruitment and retention.

Further, fostering resilient and supportive workplace cultures could result in benefits not only for individuals but also for their families and broader communities.

“Ensuring everyone can go home safe and healthy each day is a top priority for the resources sector. CME would encourage all companies to use the blueprint to guide continuous improvement efforts,” said Roocke.