Mental health in spotlight

THE fly-in, fly-out lifestyle is tough and it’s taking its toll on the mental health and relationships of workers and their families

THE fly-in, fly-out lifestyle is tough and it’s taking its toll on the mental health and relationships of workers and their families.

The Australian-first study by researchers at Central Queensland University and King’s College London has simply confirmed what we already knew. Navigating the two different worlds FIFO workers live in — the domestic and the professional — is difficult.

FIFO work brings fantastic opportunities for workers to get ahead financially. For some, it may seem the only viable way to save enough for a house. But some workers who sign up to debts that need a big income to service are finding themselves trapped in jobs which might be causing them distress.

Most FIFO workers are young or middle-aged men — a demographic already at an increased risk for mental health problems and suicide.

Tragically, we see too much of it in Darwin. Fourteen people connected to the Inpex project have died by suicide since it began.

Some of the workers interviewed for the study said they knew support services were available of them, but the stigma attached to mental health problems kept them from accessing them.

That’s not good enough.

The Northern Territory has set itself an ambitious target to halve suicide rates in 10 years. Labor’s suicide prevention strategic framework is expected to be final mid-year.

Of course, improving mental health and preventing deaths by suicide isn’t just the domain of government. It’s a responsibility carried by each and every one of us. Our attitudes to mental health are incredibly important to smashing the taboo around seeking help. It’s literally a matter of life and death.

Anyone seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636.