Health union says paramedics turning to prescription drugs for mental health issues

THE health union says some Tasmanian paramedics are stealing prescription drugs to self-medicate against mental health issues associated with the pressures of the job.

Nationally, paramedics have the highest rate of post-traumatic stress disorder.

THE health union says some Tasmanian paramedics are stealing prescription drugs to self-medicate against mental health issues associated with the pressures of the job.

Bureaucrats at Ambulance Tasmania were unlikely to consider why such thefts were occurring, according to the Health and Community Services Union, instead usually pursuing the issue as a criminal offence.

“Welfare checks on people who have allegations put or implied are scant,” the union has told a Federal Government inquiry.

“There is little organisational structure about what to do when issues arise in the self-medication space.”

The union has further alleged the broader workforce has a “suck-it-up-princess” attitude to mental injury. Two members of the union had taken their own lives in recent years and many more had made attempts, it said.

Nationally, paramedics have the highest rate of post-traumatic stress disorder — with an estimated prevalence of 14.6 per cent.

The ABC this year reported there were almost 100 investigations into cases involving paramedics misappropriating addictive drugs nationally in the past eight years.

“The problem of mental injury is not absent from our service,” the Tasmanian union said.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson pointed to a suite of Government measures aimed at improving the mental health of paramedics, including a $6 million “wellness program”, an employee assistance program and bolstered staff numbers.

“Ambulance Tasmania now has a specific human resource consultant to focus on mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Ferguson said. “This new position, which began this year, supports the physical and mental health of staff and volunteers and demonstrates our commitment to doing more to support our team.”

The Senate inquiry is examining the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers. It is due to report to the Federal Government in early December.

For 24/7 crisis support, contact Lifeline on 131 114 or at www.lifeline.org.au, or Mens-Line Australia on 1300 789 978 or at www.mensline.org.au.