Insights | 10 Oct 2025

Mind’a’thon 2025: the story behind “No Mind at Risk”

People StoriesWellbeingHealth & Safety

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One Safety, three promises  
 
At ENGIE, safety goes beyond physical protection. It’s a culture we call One Safety, built on three promises:
 
This year, we shine the spotlight on No Mind at Risk (NMR) – a pillar dedicated to advancing mental wellbeing at work, preventing psychosocial risks, and fostering a culture of care that reflects what employees truly need.
 
Chief Operating Officer Gavin Shen, who leads the One Safety vision, explains that Mind’a’thon — a mindful hackathon — gives us the opportunity to sense the mood of the organisation and co-create with our colleagues to build a happy and no-mind-at-risk workplace for everyone.
 

 
Chapter 1 | Listening First: The Employee Survey
 
To bring this into reality, a cross-functional NMR Committee was formed, sponsored by Gavin and chaired by our Head of People, Eugene Loh. Its mission: make wellbeing a practical, everyday reality.
 
The journey began by listening. A region-wide survey, led by Yanie Dahalan and Serene Ang, invited colleagues to share what helps them feel safe, supported and focused — and what gets in the way. The results revealed a clear message: employees wanted easier access to support, small recovery moments during the day, psychologically safe team habits, and solutions that fit different work settings and schedules.
 
 
 
For Jennevie Ocampo, HR Director for the Philippines, this reinforced the belief that mental wellbeing is not just a personal priority but also a leadership responsibility. “When we create space for empathy, balance and psychological safety, we empower people to succeed, not just survive,” she says.
 
This feedback became the foundation for psychosocial wellbeing across the region — addressing key factors such as workload, emotional demands, and trust in leadership.
 

Chapter 2 | From Insights to Action: The Mind’a’thon

As survey results came in, one thing was clear — employees didn’t just want to talk about wellbeing; they wanted to shape it.

In response, the Committee launched Mind’a’thon 2025, a mindful hackathon inviting colleagues to co-develop solutions across three focus areas: Workplace & Support Needs, Activities & Engagement, and Awareness & Psychological Safety.

Astrid Saint-Marc, ESG Analyst, recalls that the idea came from a genuine need for open conversation. “Too often, mental health is not taken seriously,” she explains. “At ENGIE, we wanted to create spaces where people could talk openly — and that’s how the Mind’a’thon came to be.”

Her colleague Ye Qiting, EHS Executive, agrees, adding that “a truly healthy workplace is one where no mind is at risk — where speaking up feels safe, support is strong, and wellbeing is a shared priority.”

 

Across Southeast Asia, colleagues submitted nearly 30 proposals — from ergonomic improvements and flexi-wellness benefits to peer support systems and quick-access help channels. To ensure fairness and inclusivity, voting was weighted across employees, the NMR Committee, and the Executive Committee.

For Eugene Loh, this inclusive structure made all the difference. “This Mind’a’thon is more than a competition,” he shares. “It’s an opportunity for employees to spark change and co-create a conducive work environment with wellbeing at its heart.”

Six finalist teams were shortlisted to pitch their proposals at the ENGIE One Safety Culture Regional Day on 10 October 2025 in Singapore, where a jury panel will evaluate them based on relevance, applicability, resources, and impact.

As Zann Chua, Regional Head of Marketing & Communications, puts it, “Wellbeing at work means having space to pause, reflect and speak up. Through Mind’a’thon, we turn these conversations into ideas that spark lasting change.”

 

 
Chapter 3 | From Initiative to Recognition
 
What began as a local experiment is now evolving into a regional model for One Safety culture and human sustainability.
 
Paul Welford and Lisa Ghilardi are helping capture the journey for internal award submission, demonstrating ENGIE’s leadership in psychological safety and employee-led wellbeing innovation. For Paul, the initiative marks a turning point: “Mental wellbeing should be taken as seriously as physical health. Initiatives like the Mind’a’thon give us space to consider how we can collectively maintain our minds together.”
 
Lisa adds that what makes the Mind’a’thon unique is its inclusivity. “It gives everyone in the region an opportunity to influence — even create — company policies that shape how we experience work every day.”
 
Other members of the Committee echo that this work is as much about leadership as it is about empathy. Danyya Rahman, HSSE Executive, believes that “creating a culture of care means valuing emotional sustainability, not just outcomes — because people are our greatest asset.”
Similarly, Steven Tang, Project Director, reflects that “when our mind is risk-free, our body follows.”
 
For Helmi Zaidan, Head of HSSEQ, the link between safety and wellbeing comes full circle. “Safety is holistic — it’s not only about physical wellbeing but also about emotional and mental balance,” he says. “A safe mind creates a safe body, and together they build a safe workplace.”
 

 
No Mind at Risk: More Than Words
 
The NMR journey – from listening to co-creation, to recognition – reflects a new mindset. Psychosocial wellbeing is not a campaign or a poster. It is a culture of care, owned by everyone.
 
By championing psychological safety and proactive prevention, ENGIE’s One Safety culture continues to make psychosocial wellbeing part of everyday life — ensuring that every colleague, across every site, feels safe to speak, supported to grow, and confident to bring their whole self to work.
 
Whether you submitted an idea, voted for your favourite, or will cheer on the finalists, you are part of this story. This is the promise of One Safety.
 
Together, we are shaping a workplace where truly, No Mind is at Risk.
 
 

Contributed by: No Mind at Risk committee and Maissa Oufir