Shifting Paradigm of Mental Hygiene; A Novel Approach to Mitigate Workers' Distress in Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this paper is to advocate the practice of mental hygiene as an occupational health and safety solution to safeguard mental health and enhance psychological resilience of the workforce in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry is a highly-demanding industry with its inherent environmental and psychological challenges posing a certain risk to employees' mental health. In addition, varied responses to psychological factors of the workforce may also increase the risk to mental health. A comparative study has shown that anxiety and depression is more prevalent among workers in the oil and gas industry in comparison to the general population(1). The reason behind this is particular pressure to avoid mistakes in the industry. There are serious consequences of mistakes in this industry including loss of lives and harm to the environment. In addition, offshore workers also experience isolation, loneliness, frustration and dissatisfaction stemming from working remotely, away from family. Unum Group conducted a claim analysis in the oil & gas extraction industry that showed that 26 percent of incapacity claims between 2014 and 2018 are caused by mental and psychological issues(2). The growing acknowledgment of the role of stressors in the workplace on mental health accentuates the importance of preventive psychological strategies. Mental hygiene is a preventive measure for sustaining good emotional health by developing and maintaining certain behavioral, social, and emotional skills. This paper highlights some of the mental hygiene practices considering the pertinence and aptness to the unique work environment of the oil and gas industry.