Fly-In Fly-Out (fifo)

Step 1 - Identifying health issues

Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers refer to people who fly or drive from their homes to work sites and stay at camps while on shift, then return home for a number of days during their time off.

FIFO workers involved in the mining industry in Australia face high rates of (1) depression and (2) illicit drug use. These two are the issues that need to be acknowledged and prioritized.

Step 2 - Analysis of the problem

According to Impact of FIFO Work Practices on Mental Health study, about 9.3% of the Western Australian population are made up of FIFO workers and their families. There are 365 mines in Australia, and over 33% are FIFO workers who travel to regions such as the Pilbara, from mostly Perth or Brisbane. The parliamentary report states that FIFO workers are at an increased risk of mental health as almost a third of the FIFO workforce face a mental health issue which is ten percent more than the national average.

1) Depression is the feelings of severe despondency and dejection. Fly-in fly-out face higher rates of depression as a WA study, which involved 629 FIFO participants, found that FIFO workers have twice the rates of depression compared to general Australians. 28% of the participants showing marked symptoms of depression, compared to 13% of the general population. The high rates of depression is a high-risk factor for suicide. Depression is mainly caused by the feeling of loneliness and isolation.

2) Drug abuse is the habitual taking of illicit drugs. A researcher of the ABC Rural News stated that drug issues are the worst in mining camps, where many FIFO workers reside. As a result, as Professor Carrington says, there were problems in communities such as “male-on-male violence in and around pubs or in the camps” mostly due to the consumption of alcohol. The use of drugs is dangerous for the individuals and their workmates as they may be influenced to drink as well. It could lead to addiction or self-harm. Due to the high rates of substance abuse, there is “drug culture” within many of the mining camps. The FIFO workers are mostly men who rely on the consumption of stimulant drinks such as illicit drugs and alcohol to cope with depression and stress.

Step 3 - Prioritising issues - the behavioural matrix

Suicide, stress and physical injuries are also additional health issues FIFO workers face.

Research by the Black Dog Institute has identified that one of the leading causes of suicide amongst males is depression. Hence depression must be the priority that must be tackled first to lower the rates of self-caused death.

FIFO workers face higher levels of depression than stress as proven in the study which sampled 629 FIFO workers from 143 different resource companies and found that 22% suffered from depression while 9 per cent suffered from stress. Depression due to the feelings of isolation and loneliness are experienced by more workers in general whereas stress is will be experienced by workers in a higher position and hence a greater level of responsibility.

Physical injuries such as a broken arm can heal within a few weeks, but a mental issue can last a lifetime. The ABC News also highlighted that a FIFO worker is six times more likely to die from suicide due to depression than you are from a workplace accident. The mental health issues which remain “hidden” is what must be dealt with first as according to the behavioural matrix it is the most important and also the more changeable; hence it is a higher priority.

Drug use can have a more immediate impact as it is dangerous and can lead to problems to their mental and physical well-being. It can also affect their work which makes it extremely dangerous as most of the mining work deals with explosives or heavy machinery. According to Philippa Vojnovic study on Managing Mental Health and Suicide Risk among FIFO Workers, 1 out of 3 suicides involves alcohol or drugs. The issue of substance abuse is the highest priority, as it is the most important and changeable, and it must be tackled first to lower the rates of physical harm, etc.

Step 4 - SMART GOAL

Depression

Goals to reduce the high rates of depression is by increasing awareness of mental health issues and encouraging support groups within the FIFO workers.

1. Increasing awareness about mental health issues such as depression by educating FIFO workers through a psychologist.

I believe that educating FIFO workers more personally about mental health concerns from a psychologist, who is an expert in the field will be the best way to see an immediate change in the rates of depression.

Specific - To educate FIFO workers on mental health issues through a few free mandatory sessions with a psychologist.

Measurable - The change can be viewed by seeing how many people have been going to the psychologist and attending these sessions.

Action Oriented - This can be achieved by employing a psychologist within the campus who is willing to talk to all of the FIFO workers individually or in groups about mental health issues. It will enable individuals, according to Ottawa Charter, by empowering them through education and counselling.

Realistic - The workers themselves will benefit as not only can they learn about mental health issues but they can open up to the psychologist about personal issues as well. Raising awareness

will contribute to reducing the stigma attached to mental health concerns. The companies will benefit as fewer workers are likely to take sick leaves and hence they will be more productive. Time stamped - A six-month progress check will be enough time to see how many people have been talking to the psychologist and how the doctor feels about the mental states of the FIFO workers overall.

2. Encourage support groups on-site amongst FIFO