FIFO/DIDO Mental Health Research Report 2013 - Lifeline WA
FIFO/DIDO Mental Health Research Report 2013 - Lifeline WA
FIFO/DIDO Mental Health Research Report 2013 - Lifeline WA
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Lifeline</strong> <strong>WA</strong>, in partnership with specialist vehicle hirecompany Raw Hire, Australian Institute of Management <strong>WA</strong>and Edith Cowan University’s The Sellenger Centre,launched a ground-breaking research study that assessedthe relationship between mental health and fly-in-fly-out(<strong>FIFO</strong>) and drive-in-drive-out (<strong>DIDO</strong>) work practices.With a sample size of 924 respondents,the <strong>Lifeline</strong> <strong>WA</strong> research study is one ofthe largest ever in this field of research inAustralia and provides valuable insights tothe benefits and challenges of this relativelynew and growing work practice, includingthe ways in which workers cope with thesechallenges.<strong>FIFO</strong> has become a significant commuterworksystem in several mining industriesand has provided an alternative to theconstruction of residential towns whereremote mining operations exist. <strong>FIFO</strong> ismore prevalent in Western Australia thanany other state or territory due to itsabundance of mineral resources, and theresearch has highlighted the positive impactsof the sector and <strong>FIFO</strong> work practices onthe state economy. The research has alsodrawn out the importance of a mentallyhealthy workforce for the benefit not onlyof employees and their families, but also ofemployers because of the increased safety,productivity and retention on their sites.In general, all workers reported that they getalong very well with the people around themat work and at home, and that they engagein effective coping behaviours more-so thannon-effective ones. This suggests many <strong>FIFO</strong>workers have within themselves resiliencecapabilities to manage the impact of theirwork arrangements on their mental healthand wellbeing. However, this research hasdemonstrated that the <strong>FIFO</strong> existence canbe challenging, and found in particular thatstress generally increased and was reportedto be at the highest levels in the days leadingup to leaving for work.The research found that <strong>FIFO</strong> workers arepredominantly unaware of and unlikely tomake use of any of the modes of mentalhealth information and services, but rather towithdraw emotionally and to ignore personalneeds.Stigma is the main barrier to help-seeking,with the principal reason workers do notreach out for assistance being the fear ofappearing to be ‘soft’, weak or unable tocope. The other main barrier is structural,being the lack of service accessibility onsiteand the lack of access to services fromremote sites, including the lack of mobilephone coverage and/or internet access.The recommendations—which are bothgeneral and targeted in nature—aim toaddress the help-seeking barriers andprovide supports to maintain and enhancethe emotional wellbeing and mental health ofthe <strong>FIFO</strong> and <strong>DIDO</strong> workforce.Fiona KalafCEO, <strong>Lifeline</strong> <strong>WA</strong>