We recently sat down with Suzanne Desailly, General Manager at MATES in Mining and Energy. You can read up on the first part of the interview here (hyperlink to first blog) Picking up from our first instalment, we ask Suzanne about how the organisation ensures it stays true to its core purpose and values, training programs, and raising awareness.
The MATES model works from the fundamental principle that increasing the capacity of individuals and communities to recognise suicidal behaviour, and prevent and respond to suicide, is essential to reducing the rate of suicide.
With the intention of building capacity within individuals and communities, the MATES program has flipped the traditional “help-seeking” framework on its head. Taking a “help-offering” approach, the new model seeks to address the challenge of relying on those already overwhelmed to reach out. Suzanne reiterated the importance of creating environments where help-offering is the focus.
The MATES program specifically trains and supports workers to identify subtle changes in the behaviour of others, and equips them with the tools to respond. If a worker talks about suicide, there’s a plan of communication and action to connect them to help and keep them safe. Stressing that MATES is a community development program – Suzanne emphasises the need for encouraging grassroots level change in how workers talk to and look out for one another onsite.
“We understand our industries because we are part of those industries. Our Mining and Energy Field Officers are workers themselves - not external experts but actual industry participants who now work in the mental health and suicide prevention space.”
— Suzanne Desailly, General Manager at MATES in Mining and Energy.
As participants in the industry, people running the programs also understand the realities of sites. The training works within the existing structures of mining and energy businesses, allowing MATES to execute programs quickly and with minimal disruption.
Mining and Energy companies across the industry can enter into an Industry Partnership Agreement with MATES in Mining and/or Energy to adopt the MATES program and gain full access to its suicide prevention services. Those companies seeking out a relationship with the organisation demonstrate a commitment to raising the standard of mental health of their workforce.
While the mining industry has worked hard to maintain a focus on workplace health and safety, efforts have traditionally targeted the identification and mitigation of physical safety risk. MATES training programs exist to ensure there is now a widening of this focus to include the mental health and wellbeing of those working in the industry.
Workplace mental health programs have direct benefits in reducing absenteeism and improving productivity and workplace injury claims. They’ve also proven to provide indirect benefits to recruitment, retention and employee wellbeing.
Suzanne insisted that the wider impact of mental health programs in the workplace should not be underestimated. She went on to say that these important pathways contribute to the impact on individual health, wellbeing and functioning, contributing to the delivery of broader health benefits to the community.
MATES in Mining and Energy holds its annual awareness raising event, Fly the Flag Day, in conjunction with RUOK Day on 9th September. This year, Suzanne said they saw more than 159,000 workers from 836 sites across Australia Fly the Flag to promote suicide prevention. It’s a day to celebrate the work the industry’s do every day to promote suicide prevention.
On the day, Connectors, ASIST workers, and site volunteers bring everyone together to check in on their mates, reminding them they’re not alone. Stemming from the early RUOK Day events, Fly the Flag has become a way for many sites to continue jointly celebrating RUOK and Fly the Flag at their events, honouring the MATES program and having the RUOK conversation.
“We often hear from workers that they’ve been able to use their skills outside of the workplace. This just goes to show how the program extends far beyond the workplace and greatly benefits the wider community.”
— Suzanne Desailly, General Manager at MATES in Mining and Energy.
For Mining and Energy, MATES has strong collaborative relationships with employer groups including the Minerals Council Australia, NSW Minerals Council and Queensland Resources Council; and Unions including the CFMEU’s Mining & Energy Division and the ETU.
Alongside these employer groups, many private companies continue to support and adopt the program. Amongst them are Glencore Australia, MMG, Peabody, Downer, Anglo American, Energy Queensland Limited, Stanwell, Powerlink, CS Energy and Evoenergy.
When asked about the partnerships, the MATES General Manager stressed that the success of their program lies in having strong bipartisan support from these relevant industries. “We couldn’t do what we do without the support from these important industry partners and advocates.”
**If reading this article has raised any concerns for you or a loved one, please get in touch via the MATES 24 hr Helpline on 1300 642 111 to access support.
—
Sourcing and assigning resourcing industry professionals into specialist roles, we elevate existing capabilities to help you deliver projects safely, on time and on budget.
To get in touch, call us on 07 3607 6305 or email us at hello@concentis.com.au
28 Mar 2024