Guest Speaker Paul Spinks Delivers Powerful Mental Health Message to Mount Isa Copper Operations
Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) recently hosted a compelling seminar featuring guest speaker Paul Spinks, who shared his invaluable insights on mental health with the crews. Drawing on his two decades of experience as a Rural and Remote Ambulance Paramedic and Trauma Counsellor, Paul delivered a series of thought-provoking presentations covering key topics including health, men's health, mental health, motivation, resilience, and stress management.
Paul’s extensive background in emergency response has given him a front-row seat to the stark realities of mental health struggles. He has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of life spiralling out of control, particularly through his encounters with suicide. These experiences have shaped his mission to ignite conversations around mental well-being and provide individuals with the tools to make meaningful changes before crises emerge.
Now a renowned international safety seminar facilitator, Paul is sought after by multinational corporations eager to understand and address mental health challenges within their workforce. His message is one of urgency and reflection, encapsulated in the powerful question: “When was your last normal?” This inquiry forces individuals to assess their current state of well-being and recognise that mental health struggles do not discriminate based on wealth, status, or position.
Sam Roberts, General Manager - MICO at Glencore Mount Isa Mines shared his perspective on Paul’s presentation: “The topics he covers are critically relevant, not just for miners, but for all of us. His firsthand experiences as a paramedic lend credibility and urgency to his messages about lifestyle choices and mental health. It’s a wake-up call in the truest sense.”
Paul’s discussions emphasised the importance of self-observation and self-care. He shed light on the unsettling statistic that one in every two people experience depression, and that suicide remains the leading cause of death for those aged 15-44.
“If you knew the week before a tragedy was going to occur, what would you do differently? Once we can get our head around that answer, we start to realise where we need to spend more time.”
Paul challenged individuals to make lasting changes in their daily lives by prioritising mental well-being. His presentation focussed on holistic approaches to mental health, addressing crucial aspects such as sleep, breathing, nutrition, and fitness. As part of this message he empathised the importance of self-care, particularly related to men’s health, providing education on the importance of prostate checks.
Paul Spinks’ visit to MICO served as a much-needed conversation starter on the realities of mental health and the steps that can be taken to ensure individuals receive the support they need. His candid approach and raw storytelling captivated the audience, making a lasting impact on those in attendance.
As the mining industry continues to prioritise the mental well-being of its workforce, presentations like Paul’s serve as a crucial reminder that mental health awareness and proactive self-care should be at the forefront of workplace culture. His message is clear: it’s time to wake up, take control, and prioritise our well-being before it’s too late.