High mental distress among FIFO workers

The latest report on FIFO worker health has confirmed they have higher levels of mental distress than other workers and are vulnerable to suicide.

One-third of the 3000 fly-in fly-out workers surveyed for a WA government-funded report are showing high or very high levels of psychological distress compared to 17 per cent of non-FIFO workers.

The comprehensive report, released on Wednesday, also revealed 33 per cent of partners of FIFO workers showed high or very high levels of mental distress.

Findings also suggested children and overall family functioning were affected, but to a lesser extent, the Centre for Transformative Work Design said in the report.

It also concluded FIFO workers were vulnerable to suicide, offering 18 recommendations included monitoring their mental health.

Lifeline WA announced a partnership with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy following the release of the report.

"While our crisis support service takes many calls from FIFO workers, we know that there are many others who never pick up the phone," Lifeline WA chief executive Lorna MacGregor said.

"The research showed only 28 per cent of respondents were aware of mental health helplines."

UnionsWA said one of the major, preventable factors contributing to poor metal health among FIFO workers was "inhumane" rosters that often have them on site for 28 consecutive days, while breaks include long hours of flying to and from remote sites.

"The standard for accommodation is often poor, including motelling where workers have to share different accommodation across shifts, in doing so denying them a place to live while working that they might build to make their own," assistant secretary Owen Whittle said.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636


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