IADC Charter Pledges To Address Mental Health

Thirty-five companies throughout the UK Continental Shelf have signed up to join the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Mental Health and Well-Being Charter. The charter, developed by IADC’s North Sea Chapter, was released in response to the growing drive to improve mental health throughout the industry. Featuring ten action items, listed below, companies who sign the charter are pledging to protect the mental health of their workers.

1. Initiate a company and industrywide cultural change.
2. Demonstrate transparency and accountability through internal and external reporting.
3. Build mental health and well-being awareness among employees.
4. Foster effective people management.
5. Encourage open conversations about mental health and well-being and provide employees with good working conditions, including a safe psychological space.
6. Provide comprehensive training.
7. Give mental health and well-being the same high priority as physical health.
8. Offer customized mental health support and guidance.
9.  Routinely monitor mental health and well-being.
10. Share best practices.

Growing support to address mental health among offshore and onshore workers in the UK comes as Champion Health’s Workplace Health Report 2023 found the number of employees experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm had increased to 9% and 19% of workers have a current mental health diagnosis.

Source: IADC

“We have already had constructive discussions with organizations across the sector, and almost 200 people from operators, contractors, mental health professionals, and third sector organizations were consulted during the drafting of the charter,” Darren Sutherland, IADC’s North Sea Chapter chair, said in a press release.

“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,” he said.

Source: IADC

Global drilling services provider, Valaris, donated more than $12,000 to the cause.  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."

Companies who have signed the charter to pledge their support include:

Learn more about IADC’s Mental Health and Well-Being Charter here.