A workplace psychological consultancy has been appointed to design and deliver a company-wide mental health and wellbeing programme for a major energy operator in the United Arab Emirates, the firm said. The initiative will support employees working onshore, offshore and at remote sites and will be tailored to the operational realities of both office-based and field personnel.
Programme aims and components
The consultancy, which focuses on psychological services for the energy sector, said it will work closely with senior leaders at the operator to produce a bespoke strategy reflecting sector-specific demands while strengthening psychological health, leadership capability and workforce resilience.
Services included in the programme will cover a range of workplace mental health interventions intended to reduce psychological risk and prevent burnout, and to support performance. They include:
- psychological profiling;
- executive coaching;
- workplace mental health strategy development;
- psychological risk assessment;
- wellbeing workshops;
- confidential employee support services;
- critical incident response; and
- specialist consultancy support.
The consultancy will adapt support to the different needs of office staff, field workers and personnel working offshore, acknowledging the distinct stressors associated with shift patterns, isolation and high-hazard operations.
Regional expansion and local presence
The contract is the latest step in the consultancy's expansion in the UAE and the wider Middle East, building on a regional operation it launched earlier in the year. To support ongoing regional work, the organisation established an in-country base in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, and appointed an operations support member, Mharc Alonso.
The firm also highlighted its continuing reputation in the UK and North Sea markets, signalling cross-regional experience in delivering occupational psychological services for energy operations.
Why workplace mental health matters in the energy sector
Industry experts increasingly recognise that health and safety frameworks must include a holistic focus on psychological factors and mental wellbeing. In high-risk industries such as energy, untreated mental health issues and poor psychosocial working conditions can contribute to reduced performance, accidents and workforce attrition.
By placing psychological risk assessment and confidential support at the core of an occupational health strategy, employers may better identify early signs of stress or burnout and offer timely interventions. Executive coaching and leadership development are also commonly used to embed supportive management practices that can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking among staff.
Implications for South African workplaces
While the contract relates to a UAE operator, the scope of services and the emphasis on tailoring interventions to offshore and remote operations hold lessons for South African employers, particularly in the energy and maritime sectors. Organisations here face similar pressures: extended shifts, remote worksites, and the need for robust critical incident response and confidential support systems.
Occupational health practitioners and employer groups in South Africa may benefit from observing how regionally focused consultancies adapt evidence-based psychological interventions to context-specific operational risks.
Readers should note: workplace mental health programmes complement, but do not replace, clinical care. Anyone experiencing symptoms of mental ill-health should consult a medical practitioner or local clinic for assessment and treatment rather than self-diagnose.
“The consultancy will design and implement a bespoke strategy that reflects the unique operational demands of the energy sector while strengthening psychological health, leadership capability, and workforce resilience,” the firm said.
| Component | Primary purpose |
|---|---|
| Psychological profiling | Identify individual risk and resilience factors |
| Executive coaching | Strengthen leadership that supports workforce wellbeing |
| Critical incident response | Provide timely support after traumatic workplace events |
The programme underlines a growing trend among energy operators to integrate psychological wellbeing into health and safety systems. Close collaboration between specialist consultants and company leadership will be central to its implementation and to ensuring services reach both shore-based and offshore staff.
