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Case Study

Shutdown Culture Shift: BHP’s Mental Health Move

During BHP’s largest shutdown at Whaleback, 48 mental health workshops reached over 500 staff and contractors. This targeted, sitewide initiative boosted mental health literacy, reduced stigma, and equipped teams with practical tools to recognise distress, start conversations, and access support with confidence.

Boosting Mental Health Literacy

A focused initiative to boost mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and strengthen peer support among BHP staff and contractors during the month long Whaleback shutdown.

Toolbox Talks to Leadership Training

  • Mental health education and peer support training for both leaders and employees
  • Stigma reduction campaigns and a site wide push for open conversations
  • Stress management workshops for contract service providers
  • Psychological safety discussions embedded into pre start, toolbox talks and performance processes
  • Delivered mental health training to managers with a focus on recognition, response, and referral pathways beyond traditional EAP services
  • Rolled out a tailored mental health awareness curriculum, including leadership-specific content
  • Embedded psychologically safe practices into daily operations and leadership interactions

 

48 Workshops 500+ People

Forty eight mental health workshops were delivered to over five hundred BHP staff and contractor personnel as part of a targeted training initiative to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and build psychologically safer teams.

Reported outcomes included:

  • 90% of managers and their teams reported increased mental health awareness and greater confidence in using referral pathways to support others.

  • 70% of service provider teams reported improved self-awareness, stronger stress management skills, and reduced stigma around mental health conversations

Key takeaway:

Mental Health Matters: Culture change follows when leaders are equipped with mental health literacy and practical tools. Education and awareness build confidence in recognising and responding to distress and create safer, more supportive environments across both permanent and contractor teams.