Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Program for the Energy Sector

Abstract

There is evidence indicating that traditionally male-dominated occupations are associated with greater risk of suicide. In Australia, MATES in Construction was developed as an occupational health initiative to prevent suicides in the industry. The program has recently been applied to the energy industry; however, little is known regarding exposure to suicide and suicide prevention interventions in this sector. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MATES in Energy general awareness training (GAT), and estimate the prevalence of recent suicidal ideation and exposure to suicidal behaviors in workers. A before and after design was used to examine the effectiveness of GAT training. Data were collected from 4887 participants undertaking GAT training at energy sites across Queensland, Australia. In total, 2% (97) of participants reported recent suicidal thoughts, 65% of participants reported they had known someone who had attempted suicide, and 69% had known someone who died by suicide. Significant improvements were found on all suicide literacy items after GAT training. Younger people were more likely to be positively affected by the intervention. The results indicate that the MATES in Energy program is successfully transitioning from the construction industry, and offers the first empirically supported suicide intervention tailored to the energy sector.

COVID-19 and offshore oil and gas workers: The role of personality

“…In this study, participant statements echo Ross et al’s (2020) findings, who reported that 65% of the participants in their study knew someone who had attempted to end their life. Furthermore, 69% of the participants had known someone who had actually died by suicide and 2% of respondents had experienced recent thoughts of suicide.…”

“…Furthermore, 69% of the participants had known someone who had actually died by suicide and 2% of respondents had experienced recent thoughts of suicide. Examining the GAT (General Awareness Training) component of MATES in Energy, Ross et al (2020) found a significant increase in suicide awareness and literacy, knowledge, and improvements in attitudes to help-seeking and help-giving. Participant #12, who worked for a large oil and gas company, stated that there was an online learning module related to mental health that the company had provided access to.…”

“…Participant #12 confirmed that they were referring to the Mates in Mining program, which has its roots in Mates in Construction. The program was created to address the high rates of suicide in the construction industry and has successfully branched into other industries and includes Mates in Energy ( Ross et al, 2020 ), a multi-level intervention aimed at preventing suicide in the energy industry.…”

“…What may be beneficial in one situation may not be useful in another, yet effective leadership must also be sustainable across cultural backgrounds and situations ( Kaluza et al, 2012 ). Organisational management must ensure that adequate steps are taken to address stigma around mental health issues, as negative attitudes regarding poor mental health and help seeking are a significant source of psychological distress ( Bowers et al, 2018 ) and affect help-seeking behaviours ( Bowers et al, 2018 ), particularly in a predominantly male environment, which is linked to a higher suicide risk ( Ross et al, 2020 ), and where asking for help might be viewed negatively ( Henry et al, 2013 ). A statement by participant #7 supported this finding: ‘I think education’s one of the big ones.…”

Evaluation of a workplace suicide prevention program in the Australian manufacturing industry: protocol for a cluster-randomised trial of MATES in manufacturing

“…The MATES in Construction program was established by and for the Australian construction industry in 2007. It has also been adapted for the mining and energy sectors, and research evaluations in each sector have demonstrated the program's positive impact on participants' suicide prevention literacy, and willingness to seek and offer help [15][16][17][18]. However, the evidence to date has been limited to uncontrolled observational studies, with no experimental or randomised trial studies to date.…”