PERTH (miningweekly.com) - The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) has welcomed the call for more evidence in a Parliamentary inquiry into the mental health of fly-in, fly-out (Fifo) workers in the state’s resources sector.

In August this year, a Parliamentary committee launched an investigation into the mental health of the Fifo community after nine Fifo workers took their own lives over the past 12 months.

Thus far, the inquiry has received about 70 submissions and conducted 12 hearings, but has so far failed to provide evidence that suggested there was a higher prevalence for mental health issues among Fifo workers.

“This should not diminish the tragic impact suicides have in the community.  Every suicide is a tragic loss and with 366 suicides in Western Australia in 2012, no one disagrees we have a problem in the community,” CME CEO Reg Howard-Smith said.
 
He noted that the Parliamentary inquiry had the opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the complex issue of mental health and suicide prevention, adding that mental health and wellbeing were far broader than the number of suicides.

“This makes responsibility for mental health issues a shared one – for individuals, government, community and industry,” said Howard-Smith.

Howard-Smith said the resources sector recognised the importance of employee wellbeing, and in recent years there has been a surge in the variety of Fifo rosters available, as well as dramatic improvements in accommodation quality and facilities available. 

The sector has also responded by providing support groups and employee assistance programmes to help employees adjust to Fifo lifestyle. 

“The majority of resources companies also provide counselling services and promote awareness of wellbeing issues via their fit-for-work and health promotion programmes,” said Howard-Smith.