Bristow: Keir Williams wins Workplace Champion Award

It’s how we describe the 2014 AHRI R U OK? Workplace Champion Winner, Keir Williams.

Keir is the Human Resources Manager at Bristow; an offshore helicopter transport services company. Since 2012, she has single-handedly convinced Bristow’s global operations to get behind R U OK? to make a difference to their staff and others working away from home.

Q. What adjective best describes how you felt when you won the award?

A. Surprise!

Q. Promoting the importance of conversations to prevent suicide can be a tough gig – particularly in workplaces with a large male workforce because talking about emotions and personal issues is so tabooed. How did you persuade management and staff to get involved?

A. It wasn’t really persuasion. It was more presenting the facts; explaining the small steps we could take to get involved as an organisation. After the company got behind it in 2012, they then agreed to be the Sponsor of the R U OK? Afield initiative in 2013. It’s still tough convincing staff to get behind it. It’s a real challenge to get males to talk about their problems and embrace the cause.

Q. Do you think your team relationships are stronger because you have dedicated so much time and energy to a cause all about looking out for others?

A. In some ways yes, I find myself regularly consulted and brought into the loop on sensitive situations much earlier. I think it helps build trust. People realize that you will do the right thing and that you will respect their confidentiality.

Q. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to champion R U OK? in their community?

A. It’s very rewarding but it’s not easy because there’s a lot of stigma attached to mental health issues. It’s also difficult to measure results, as it’s about taking the time to reach out, ask the question, listen and follow up and you might not hear about those conversations. However, you get a lot of personal satisfaction knowing you may have helped someone out and that makes all the hard work worthwhile.