Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) through its Organisational Wellbeing and Culture department has launched its mental wellbeing campaign – Wantok Yu Orait? – last Friday in Tabubil.
The campaign is part of the company’s approach to promote peer support in the workplace to maintain safety, performance, and positive culture.
In his opening address, Acting General Manager, People and Capability reminded leaders of the importance of friendship and community for promoting mental health in a FIFO operation. He emphasized, “Together we can improve our safety at work, our ability to perform our jobs well in our family, community, and Ok Tedi.”
Present at the event were the Executive Leadership Team, managers, superintendents, and supervisors across the business who were provided with learning materials and guidelines to administer the ‘Wantok Yu Orait?’ program in their respective business units and departments.
Speaking at the event, OTML’s Manager Organisational Wellbeing & Culture, Dr Hazel Harden stated that this initiative is targetted at equipping our workforce with the essential people skills to check in with peers in a safe and supportive way.
She said, “We have intentionally created a campaign with resources that teaches practical conversation skills in a way that is relatable to our diverse workforce.”
The campaign materials include steps on how to converse with a colleague facing mental issues, how to seek medical help, and tips to make individuals approachable for colleagues to confide in.
A Wantok Yu Orait? conversation includes 6 simple steps: Reach out, Show you care, Listen with an open mind, Support, Encourage and Follow up.
Dr Harden reminded the team that having a Wantok, You Orait? conversation is a skill that has to be practiced, urging leaders to show their leadership and support by ensuring every member of their team including themselves participates in the training. She also encouraged them to actively practice the six conversation steps with those around them.
General Manager Projects Brendan Gowdie acknowledged the importance of the campaign and shared a personal experience of mental health not just being about visible struggles; it can also involve perceived threats or outcomes that exist only in our minds, sometimes preventing us from speaking up about our health and problems in and outside work—as I learnt all too painfully after losing a dear friend earlier this year, reminding us that we should never assume someone is okay.
He said, “This initiative is a vital step forward to creating supportive, inclusive, space, and mental health discussions”.
In line with the Company’s Growth 2050 Strategy, the focus on people’s development and wellbeing is crucial to ensure maximum productivity levels.
Plans are progressing to administer programs like the ‘Wantok Yu Orait’ campaign as well as other bigger projects like the new FIFO Village in Tabubil. This new FIFO village will create space for better lodging and recreational areas that will elevate employees’ mental wellbeing status and ensure they are healthy and fit for work to perform their roles to their maximum potential.
Mr Gowdie said, “Our people are our greatest asset and OTML is committed to ensuring our people are safe, healthy and able to actively contribute to safe operations while delivering to our stakeholders.”