Lifeline WA CEO Encourages Participation in FIFO Mental Health Survey

Lifeline WA CEO Encourages Participation in FIFO Mental Health Survey

Lifeline WA CEO Encourages Participation in FIFO Mental Health Survey teaser

30 Jan 2018

Lifeline WA Chief Executive Officer Lorna MacGregor is encouraging current and previous FIFO workers and their partners to participate in The University of Western Australia’s (UWA) FIFO Mental Health and Wellbeing survey.

The survey is a comprehensive tool looking into the role of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work for the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers and their families.

“We know that while there is mental health support available to FIFO workers, they are often hesitant to use it because of perceived stigma,” said Ms MacGregor.

“Lifeline WA supports this survey because we know just how valuable the results can be in getting past this, and giving FIFO workers and their families the confidence to access the support they need.”

UWA Research Fellow and Project Manager of the study, Laura Fruhen, welcomes support from Lifeline WA in their pursuit to reach 1500 respondents by February 15.

“FIFO worker’s experiences are unique in that they work away from their family or loved ones,” said Dr Fruhen.

“We know that work is a key factor for mental health and wellbeing generally, but these links are not well understood in the FIFO context.

In particular we need more partners and family members of FIFO workers to participate in this study, so that we can gain insight into their experiences.

We are grateful for the support of Lifeline WA, a leader in suicide prevention, whose 13 11 14 crisis support service focuses on reaching out for help; their backing is pivotal in ensuring we engage enough respondents for the survey.” 

The research findings will be reported back to the Mental Health Commission, which has provided funding for the project, and will inform workers, companies and governments on mental health and wellbeing issues.

For further information people can visit crowdresearch.uwa.edu.au/project/wellbeing-fifoworkers/.

About the Survey 
  • FIFO Workers can access their survey via: http://uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1XlWOIIp8TywmLr
  • Partners can access their survey via: https://uwa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0B5MMZb2WVbhxU9
  • It is not clear how FIFO work affects wellbeing, mental health, and relationships. It is particularly not well understood how specific workplace factors affect wellbeing and mental health in FIFO workers.
  • The study investigates a range of FIFO work factors that contribute to mental health in workers and how these factors might affect their next of kin.
  • A key aim of the survey is to identify positive and negative workplace impacts on mental health as well as strategies used by individuals, families and organisations to buffer against potential FIFO challenges 
  • The questionnaire should take approximately 30 minutes
  • Respondents are given the chance to win one of five $150 dinner vouchers for taking part

Key Statistics
  • Suicide is the leading cause of death for Western Australians between the ages of 15 and 44
  • Social and geographic isolation and difficulties accessing services are listed as two of the key factors that influence and increase suicide rates
  • Rural Australians face greater challenges due to both the difficulty of accessing the support needed for mental illness and the need for greater visibility to break down stigma associated with mental health.

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