New fly-in fly-out website to change South West FIFO workers lives

Developed by the Mental Illness Fellowship of Western Australia This FIFO Life contains articles, blogs and links that discuss different issues relating to mental health and FIFO workers.

“The State Government is committed to reducing Western Australia’s suicide rate, which unfortunately stands at around one person losing their life to suicide every day,” Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said.

“It also includes the provision of funds to non-Government organisations such as MIFWA to develop resources such as ‘This FIFO Life’,

“FIFO workers have unique needs and they will be recognised as a priority group in the new multi-year suicide prevention strategy currently under development.”

A spokesperson from Rio Tinto said that their own business had a range of mental health programs in place to support employees and families, particularly those who lived remotely or are involved in FIFO work.

With the Busselton sector having more than 500 regional FIFO employees and more than 750 employees residing in the region, support for their lifestyle is as relevant as ever.

As a result, Rio Tinto welcomes the initiate by the state government as they believe that any movement to help FIFO workers in any capacity is an asset in their industry.

“Enabling people to share their experience is also an important way to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing and encourage people to seek additional support if they need it,” the spokesperson said.

FIFO Families director Nicole Ashby said it was another resource to put into the melting pot of strategies to ease the pressures of FIFO life.

“I think it’s brilliant,” Ms Ashby said,

“The more we can do as a community to shed light on mental health issues is a great thing,” she said.

This initiative is part of the $21 million placed into suicide prevention since 2009 under the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

The State Government has since given $1.7 million towards crisis help lines, suicide prevention services and counselling, all elements that seek to improve FIFO welfare.