Employee Mental Health in Offshore Operations: A Proactive Approach to Monitoring and Preventing Risks

This paper aims to present the rationale, structure, and results of the pre-flight check-in program, implemented in Brazilian offshore companies starting in 2021 as a preventive mental health tool. The scope includes an analysis of the program's effectiveness in the early identification of psychological distress, the continuous management of psychosocial risks, and the reduction of critical events and incidents related to the mental state of workers. The pre-flight check-in program consists of an online psychological screening questionnaire administered in the days leading up to embarkation. Cases considered to have moderate or alert vulnerabilities are referred for a follow-up with a psychologist for a more in-depth case analysis and support. Confirmed severe vulnerabilities trigger an intervention protocol jointly with the company's medical department. The collected data are systematized into managerial dashboards that allow for analysis by function, department, and vessel, enabling specific strategic interventions for the most vulnerable contexts. Since its implementation, the program has demonstrated a positive impact on both prevention and rapid response to critical cases. The initiative has contributed to reducing the embarkation of professionals with high emotional distress and to building a culture of psychological safety and preventive care. The pre-flight check-in proposal represents a paradigm shift in how mental health is addressed in the oil and gas industry. By anticipating the effects of psychosocial risks, the program directly benefits companies and employees by fostering safer and more resilient environments. It is an innovation with high potential for replicability and adaptability for offshore, onshore, and high-complexity operations.