Help-seeking for mental health problems by employees in the Australian Mining Industry

Ross J Tynan; Robyn Considine; Jane L Rich; Jaelea Skehan; John Wiggers; Terry J Lewin; Carole James; Kerry Inder; Amanda L Baker; Frances Kay-Lambkin; David Perkins; Brian J Kelly

doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1755-1

Help-seeking for mental health problems by employees in the Australian Mining Industry

BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Sep 21;16(1):498. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1755-1.

Authors

Ross J Tynan^{1

2

3}, Robyn Considine⁴, Jane L Rich^{4

5}, Jaelea Skehan⁶, John Wiggers⁷, Terry J Lewin⁸, Carole James^{5

9}, Kerry Inder^{10

11}, Amanda L Baker⁸, Frances Kay-Lambkin^{12

8}, David Perkins^{5

8}, Brian J Kelly^{4

8}

Affiliations

¹ Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Newcastle, Australia. ross.tynan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
² NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Old Waratah Post Office, 22 Turton Road, Waratah, NSW, Australia. ross.tynan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
³ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, PO Box 833, Newcastle, 2300, Australia. ross.tynan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
⁴ Centre for Resources Health and Safety, University of Newcastle, PO Box 833, Newcastle, 2300, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, HMRI Building, Lot 1 Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
⁶ Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Newcastle, Australia.
⁷ Population Health, NSW Government Hunter New England Area Health Service, Booth Building, Longworth Avenue, Wallsend, NSW, 2287, Australia.
⁸ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, PO Box 833, Newcastle, 2300, Australia.
⁹ Hunter Building, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, 2300, Australia.
¹¹ Richardson Wing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
¹² NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of New South Wales, Old Waratah Post Office, 22 Turton Road, Waratah, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

Background: The current study examined help-seeking behavior for mental health problems of employees in the mining industry.

Methods: The research involved a paper-based survey completed by a cross-section of employees from eight coalmine sites. The research aimed to investigate the frequency of contact with professional and non-professional sources of support, and to determine the socio-demographic and workplace factors associated.

Results: A total of 1,457 employees participated, of which, 46.6 % of participants reported contact with support to discuss their own mental health within the preceding 12 months. Hierarchical logistic regression revealed a significant contribution of workplace variables, with job security and satisfaction with work significantly associated with help-seeking behavior.

Conclusions: The results provide an insight into the help-seeking behaviour of mining employees, providing useful information to guide mental health workplace program development for the mining industry, and male-dominated industry more broadly.

Keywords: Coal mining; Help-seeking; Mental illness; Workplace health.