As Egypt’s energy leaders gather to discuss operational risk, global wellbeing provider Workplace Options calls for urgent integration of mental health into safety protocols. 

On November 16, Workplace Options (WPO), a global provider of employee wellbeing services, will deliver a keynote address at the Cheiron Health, Safety & Environmental Day, one of Egypt’s leading oil and gas industry events. Hosted by Cheiron Petroleum Corporation, the event convenes senior leaders from the Ministry of Petroleum and major operators such as ENI, Apache, and EGPC. 

This event will bring industry executives and safety professionals across the energy sector to share strategies for strengthening mental health and psychological safety in high-risk environments. 

“In high-risk industries, silence isn’t neutral it’s dangerous,” said Alan King, CEO at Workplace Options. “Fatigue, disengagement, and untreated mental strain directly impact operational performance and safety. Leaders don’t need to be psychologists, but they must treat mental readiness as a core safety concern.” 

Participating organizations include: 

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoP) 

• The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) 

• The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) 

• Cheiron Petroleum Corporation (host company) 

• Joint Venture operating companies, including AMAPETCO, BAPETCO, GEMPETCO and PGM 

• Industry partners and operators, such as ENI, Apache, PICO Energy and other key players in Egypt’s oil and gas sector 

Dana El Bissar, a clinical psychologist at Workplace Options with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field, will lead a session, “Mental Health in High-Risk Industries: Why Oil & Gas Companies Can’t Afford to Ignore It.” It will explore how companies and managers can take action to reduce risk and support employees in critical positions. 

The Invisible Cost of Pressure 

In high-stakes industries like oil and gas, mental strain doesn’t just impact individuals, it creates operational risk. 

92% of offshore employees report at least one fatigue-related safety incident or near miss within six months. (Society of Petroleum Engineers)  

Suicide rates in oil & gas extraction are among the highest of any industry nearly double the national average. (CDC, 2020) 

Fatigue, anxiety, and burnout impact how people think, react, and make decisions. Left unaddressed, they contribute to:  

• Safety lapses and near misses  

• Increased absenteeism  

• Higher turnover and disengagement 

“Neglecting mental health doesn’t just harm individuals, it quietly erodes safety, trust, and performance” says Dana El Bissar, clinical psychologist at Workplace Options. “In this industry, machines can be replaced. Human attention, clarity, and commitment can’t. Leaders don’t need to be therapists, but they do need to understand that mental readiness is a core operational resource” 

Practical Steps for Leaders 

Addressing mental health in high-risk sectors isn’t about launching wellbeing campaigns — it’s about embedding psychological safety into operational culture. WPO recommends four concrete areas of focus: 

• Lead with Presence: Short, genuine check-ins from leaders can normalize support and reduce the silence around mental health. Managers should watch for irritability, withdrawal, loss of focus, increased mistakes, or unusual behavior. 

• Build Safety Into the System: Include psychological risk in safety audits, ensure fair schedules, and provide confidential access to support. 

• Creating a Culture of Openness: Normalizing short wellbeing check-ins, modeling healthy behavior, and leveraging support systems. 

• Organizational Integration: Include psychological risk factors in safety audits, implement fair rotation and rest schedules, and provide confidential access to support services. 

• Measuring Impact: Track wellbeing indicators alongside safety, productivity, and retention KPIs. 

About Workplace Options 

At Workplace Options (WPO), our philosophy is built on three core tenants: reach, relevance, and results. We are committed to delivering consistent, high-quality, and easily accessible global services — services that make a meaningful difference in employees’ lives, allowing them to more fully and effectively contribute to their organization’s success. 

To help employees and their families when they need emotional, practical, and physical wellbeing support, our services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, delivered from service centers located around the world. 

WPO delivers high-quality care digitally and in-person to more than 88 million people representing 113,000 organizations in more than 200 countries and territories.