The mining sector in Western Australia is set to benefit from new PhD scholarships aimed at improving mental health outcomes for workers. These scholarships, funded by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) through the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program, focus on vital research that seeks to address mental health challenges in the mining industry.
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Supporting Mental Health in Mining
The WA Government is backing the research to ensure the industry prioritises mental health alongside physical safety. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael stated, “This research will help drive innovative solutions and support sustainable workforce practices.” He added, “The WA Government is proud to invest in the next generation of researchers whose work will directly contribute to improving safety outcomes and fostering healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures across the industry.”
The MARS Program is dedicated to creating a positive culture in the workforce. It aims to tackle critical mental health, workplace culture, and safety issues that affect the sector. These PhD scholarships, which are an extension of the MARS Program, focus on a wide range of mental health concerns, from improving psychological safety to assessing workplace risk factors.
PhD Scholarships Tackle Key Issues
The scholarships support four PhD candidates, each working on different research projects. Ronald James, from Edith Cowan University (ECU), is studying how psychological capital can be used to improve psychological safety in Western Australian mining. His research focuses on the internal resources, such as hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism, that help workers manage challenging situations.
Nousheen Fatima, also from ECU, is investigating the impact of psychosocial risk factors on workforce sustainability. Her research looks at how mental health challenges affect workers’ behaviours in the industry. Patrick Benetti, from the University of Western Australia, is exploring how mining leaders can use safety stories to improve safety outcomes.
These researchers are not working in isolation. The MARS Program also funds a psychosocial risk management program to help mining companies address mental health challenges directly. This program teaches mining companies to understand mental health legislation, meet regulatory compliance, and develop strategies to reduce workplace harm.
Growing Recognition of Mental Health Issues
Mental health has gained increasing attention across various industries, with mining being no exception. In Australia, nearly one in five people will experience a common mental illness in any given year. This statistic is particularly relevant to the mining community, where workers often face unique challenges.
The mining industry is vital to Australia’s economy, contributing nearly 15% of the nation’s GDP. However, mining can take a toll on workers’ mental health. Remote working conditions, long shifts, and isolation make the industry especially vulnerable to mental health concerns.
The Mental Awareness, Respect, and Safety (MARS) Program was launched in December 2021 to address these issues. By funding critical research, the program aims to improve workplace culture, enhance worker safety, and create mentally healthy environments in the mining sector.
A Strong Focus on Worker Well-being
WA Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk highlighted the ongoing importance of mental health research in the sector. “The mining industry has come a long way in recent years when it comes to addressing issues around the health and well-being of workers, but there is more to be done,” she said. “These scholarships will be important to advance mental health initiatives and to shape strategies that put the well-being of workers first.”
Research shows that mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress are common in the mining industry. FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) workers are particularly at risk. Studies have found that one in three mining workers experience regular emotional exhaustion, indicating high levels of burnout. Mining jobs can also trigger sleep disorders and mental fatigue, further affecting workers’ well-being.
The Economic and Social Cost of Mental Health
The economic cost of mental illness in the industry is significant. In New South Wales alone, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 employees experience mental illness annually. The industry faces an annual loss of up to $450 million due to lowered productivity. The cost of mental health issues, including lost work time and workers’ compensation claims, can be as high as $400,000 per average mining site.
These costs are a stark reminder of the need to prioritise mental health in the industry. Minister Michael emphasised the importance of continued investment in research and mental health programs, noting that “By supporting mineral research through initiatives like the MARS Program, we are reinforcing the importance of workplace health and safety in Western Australia’s mining sector.”
Wrapping Up!
The PhD scholarships funded by the MARS Program mark an important step forward in addressing mental health issues in Western Australia’s mining sector. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, mental health remains a critical area of focus. With the support of the WA Government, these research initiatives will contribute to healthier, safer, and more inclusive workplace cultures in the industry.
