An interview with Steve Tizzard, mental health and wellness advocate who has been working on the Hibernia platform since 1997. Ten years ago, he was awarded the ExxonMobil Canada East President's Safety Award following the return to flight operations after the Cougar 491 tragedy. Mr. Tizzard is the founding member of the Offshore Wellness Committee, which encompasses both onshore and offshore staff in the oil and gas industry. He is also a Mental Health First Aid Canada Instructor and is certified as a Psychological Health and Safety Advisor with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). In 2017, his workplace was honoured with the CM Hincks Workplace Award for fostering positive mental health practices for all employees.
Anybody who has experienced the cold Canadian winter months is familiar with the challenges that a harsh environment can place on mental health and wellness. In fact, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health issue at some point in their life – no matter their age, education, income level or cultural background1. But for Canadians who work day in and day out in extremely harsh environments, the risk of suffering from mental health issues can be far greater. Dr. Farrell Cahill, Lead Researcher at Horizon Occupational Health Solutions, met with Steve Tizzard to discuss how he managed to diminish the stigma around mental health issues on the Hibernia platform, an oil rig in the Atlantic Ocean located 315 km east of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Q: What is your role on the Hibernia platform?
A: My official role on the platform is as the radio operator, which means I take care of offshore logistical movements with vessels and helicopters as well as all communications to and from shore.
In addition to my official capacities as radio operator, I have also spent the last five years leading a movement to improvement the mental health of offshore workers. I chose to get involved because I knew there was a need, but nothing was being done. Having battled with my own mental health struggles for a period of time, I knew I could make a difference. With the support of management and the union, I implemented the Mental Health First Aid program. Since the program’s inception, it has helped so many and it needs to continue. Mental Health First Aid should be a fixture in employee training just like physical first aid. At this time, that is not the case, but work is underway to see that things change for the better.
Q: What kind of mental health challenges can affect employees working on oil rigs?
A: When it comes to mental health, we can’t keep letting individuals suffering fly under the radar. Some employees working on oil rigs can suffer from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), relationship troubles, and even substance abuse and addiction issues.
Anxiety and depression are the main mental health issues we see on a regular basis. Employees in such harsh and remote environments can feel disconnected and isolated in a very unique way. Anxiety in particular can often stem from the occupation itself, for example difficult helicopter operations, extreme weather conditions, steady work schedule or physical health issues.
Q: What is your approach to addressing mental health issues?
A: I like to treat mental health issues with an approach based on simple mathematics or statistics. The philosophy; if more people feel comfortable talking and listening and are trained to pick up on external signs and symptoms of mental health issues in themselves and others, then more people will finally receive the treatment they need. Once the conversation starts, we can get to the most appropriate professional help as quickly as possible.
A great place to start is to offer training to those willing to help, and to implement a mental health wellness board with a detailed listing of information and resources on issues pertaining to at home and family life, depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and more.
To get the conversation started about mental health and wellness in your workplace, challenge your team to sign up for the 30-day Horizon Mental Health Challenge!
Q: Why is it important to implement such mental health programs in the workplace?
A: Mental health issues are for the most part a disease of the brain, the same as heart disease, diabetes or any physical ailment is a disease of the body. Mental health issues have also been known to be the leading cause of both short-term and long-term disability claims in Canada2. This goes to show that addressing mental health in the workplace should be taken very seriously to address both risks to employees, and to the employer.
Most Canadians will be affected by mental health issues either personally or indirectly within their lifetime and the stigma around mental health issues must be stopped. By implementing mental health programs in the workplace, employers are doing their part to start the conversation about these important topics. No matter the workplace, whether it is on an oil rig in the middle of the Atlantic or in an office building on Yonge Street in Toronto, employees need to be educate on how to break the silence so that they and their colleagues can find the help that’s needed, when it’s needed most.
Q: What factors do you believe has the greatest effect on improved mental health in the workplace?
There is no secret – a proper diet, regular exercise and good sleep hygiene help with mental health issues. But for some, they won’t even be able to find the energy and drive to do these things. For me, the greatest benefits comes from talking. Plain and simple talking. Having someone available to listen can be just as important. We all have a book of stories inside of us, page after page of our life, how we are feeling, our lived experiences, our past, our thoughts, our dreams… and for so many, no other person in the world will ever get to hear it. By talking and by being heard, we are empowered to share our stories a little at a time, towards a better and more connected future.
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