Tahmoor goes yellow to raise mental health awareness

News > 29th October, 2024

R U OK? Day a good opportunity to start conversations

29 October 2024

Tahmoor Coking Coal staff came together for R U OK? Day this year with a flush of yellow ribbons around the plant to raise awareness and start a conversation about mental health. 

 The yellow ribbons pinned on their uniforms were a bright reminder to the mine community to ask friends, family, and colleagues ‘R U OK?’ … not just for the today, but every day.   

 R U OK?  is a national charity that contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and build informal support networks with family and colleagues.   

Tahmoor’s Production Superintendent, Nicholas Cripps said the value of creating these strong relationships is key to positive mental health growth and reduces the risk of suicide in our communities.   

The yellow ribbons were a great physical reminder to check in with your work mates and to check in with yourself, asking yourself ‘am I ok?

Executive General Manager of Tahmoor Coking Coal, Peter Vale

“R U OK is an excellent initiative and relaxes people’s perception of asking R U OK. It provided a timely reminder that we all face different struggles at times and it is important to look out for each other,” Nicholas said 

 “It is OK not to be OK, but it’s important to start the conversation.”  

 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that mental health issues and suicide rates have been steadily increasing in Australia.  It reports that men are 3.2 times more likely to commit suicide than women in Australia, another grave indication of the necessity to create strong support networks.   

 The mining industry is a heavily male-dominated industry, it is also one of the most at-risk Australian industries for these tragedies. Men aged 25-44 in the mining industry have the highest rates of suicide compared to any other occupation according to a 2023 report.  

 Executive General Manager of Tahmoor Coking Coal, Peter Vale said the business strives to create a workplace environment that supports its workers and encourages strong informal support systems that aid positive mental health.   

 “Tahmoor is a close-knit workplace so we are lucky to have the support of colleagues as a foundation to a stronger support system in other aspects of our lives,” Peter said. 

“The yellow ribbons were a great physical reminder to check in with your work mates and to check in with yourself, asking yourself ‘am I ok?’.” 

“At Tahmoor, we look out for each other and ask, R U OK?” 

Main picture: The Compliance, Training and WHS team don the yellow ribbons. Above right: Thomas O’Neill and Kyle Moss take the message underground. Below left: Matt Supel and Phil Jones carrying the R U OK? message. Below right: Mat Davies and Dave Corbett join the yellow movement.

Read more about health and safety at Tahmoor

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