Offshore mental health charter receives £10,000 as North Sea firms show support

The group behind the Mental Health and Well-being Charter has confirmed that 35 North Sea firms have backed the project as it calls for more industry support.

The initiative has also received the backing of global drilling services provider Valaris, which has donated £10,000 to the cause.

Earlier this year it was reported that Aker Solutions, Expro, Ithaca Energy, Proserv and EY had pledged to support the movement, which is being led by the North Sea Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC).

Since the summer a further 29 organisations have signed onto the charter, with new recruits including operators such as Harbour Energy and contractors such as Wood and PD&MS.

The IADC launched the call to arms as it looks for more industry support for the charter that proposes a 10-point plan to improve the mental well-being of workers in the North Sea.

Several sub-groups have been established within the steering group to look at how to achieve the strongest impact.

These groups include a charter activation and peer review and academia which will look at understanding member needs and connecting with academic institutions to ensure wider penetration.

© Supplied by Kenny Elrick/DC Thom

Darren Sutherland, chair of the North Sea Chapter of the IADC, said: “The continued input and active support across the industry gives us the confidence and determination that this will be a success.

“We have already had constructive discussions with organisations across the sector, and almost 200 people from operators, contractors, mental health professionals and third sector organisations were consulted during the drafting of the Charter.”

‘We have to do much more to support our colleagues’

In March, a report published by the IADC showcased that 40% of onshore and offshore remote rotational shift workers experienced suicidal thoughts.

Following this, Darren Sutherland called for “top-down driven cultural change” and the creation of an industry mental health charter.

Jools Coghill, operations manager at Valaris, said: “There can be very few companies or individuals who have worked in the industry that have not been impacted by the enormity of mental health issues and many that have experienced the tragedy of suicide.

“We applaud the lead taken on this issue by the IADC and are pleased to support the drive for change. As an industry, we have to do much more to support our colleagues’ wellbeing, and we are hopeful this donation will help achieve that.”

Mr Sutherland added: “It is extremely gratifying to have more companies sign up to the initiative, and it shows it is something that is not only needed, but also something that is being embraced.

“We are challenging the status quo in the industry and providing support to companies that will help them improve their approach to mental health and change the lives of colleagues.”