❓ Question regarding the mental health of FIFO/DIDO workers in WA, specifically addressing depression, anxiety, and substance misuse, and the government's response to these issues. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines existing and planned programs.
AnsweredQoN 472Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
''CANCER OF THE BUSH OR SALVATION FOR OUR CITIES?'' —
REPORT FINDINGS
472. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Mental Health:
(1) Is the
minister aware of the findings of the House of Representatives' report
of February 2013, ''Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities?'',
that depression and anxiety are a serious concern for fly in, fly out workers
and that the health effects of alcohol and other substance misuse and
depression and anxiety appear to require particular attention?
(2) Does the
minister agree with the findings?
(3) What
attempts are being made in WA to assess the mental health of fly in, fly out
and drive in, drive out workers?
(4) What
programs are in place or planned to provide mental health services to FIFO and
DIDO workers?
(5)
How is the effectiveness of these programs measured?
REPORT FINDINGS
472. Hon SALLY
TALBOT to the Minister for Mental Health:
(1) Is the
minister aware of the findings of the House of Representatives' report
of February 2013, ''Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities?'',
that depression and anxiety are a serious concern for fly in, fly out workers
and that the health effects of alcohol and other substance misuse and
depression and anxiety appear to require particular attention?
(2) Does the
minister agree with the findings?
(3) What
attempts are being made in WA to assess the mental health of fly in, fly out
and drive in, drive out workers?
(4) What
programs are in place or planned to provide mental health services to FIFO and
DIDO workers?
(5)
How is the effectiveness of these programs measured?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question.
(1) Yes, the
report has been referred to the Mental Health Commission and the Drug and
Alcohol Office for consideration.
(2) The
majority of the report's recommendations relate to commonwealth
responsibilities and actions. The state government welcomes the opportunity to
work collaboratively and consultatively with the commonwealth to address mental
health and alcohol and other drug issues affecting FIFO and DIDO workers. The
merger of the MHC and DAO provides a further opportunity to improve the
coordination and delivery of mental health and alcohol and other drug services
to improve mental health outcomes for Western Australians.
(3)–(4)
FIFO and DIDO workers and their families are able to access public community
mental health services throughout the state for appropriate assessment and
treatment. There is an existing network of community drug services throughout
Western Australia. The state government has also made significant investments
in the expansion of alcohol and other drug services and programs in Pilbara and
Kimberley communities through the royalties for regions program. This has
provided 27 additional full-time equivalent positions in the Kimberley and
Pilbara areas, of which 19 are currently filled. Significant resourcing is also
being applied to the development and implementation of alcohol and other drug
management plans in the goldfields region through the commonwealth Breaking the
Cycle program.
The state strategic policy for
mental health reform—''Mental Health 2020: Making it personal
and everybody's business''—identifies fly in, fly out
workers and their families as a population requiring specialist responses to
improve their mental health outcomes.
The $13 million ''Western
Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2009–2010: Everybody's
Business'' includes several community action plans that encompass FIFO
source communities and mining towns.
In 2013, the Mental Health Commission
provided $80 000 to the Mental Illness Fellowship of WA to run forums and
develop mental health multimedia resources for fly in, fly out workers and
their families.
On 1 August 2013, the Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Mental Health, Andrea Mitchell, MLA, launched
FIVE, a two-year pilot project funded by Rio Tinto's community
investment program and delivered by Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the
Arts Australia. Covering Derby, Paraburdoo, Geraldton, Busselton and Esperance,
it will look at FIFO issues and community impacts; young people with mental
illness; farmers experiencing isolation and depression; and remote Aboriginal
people.
On 1 August 2013, the Mental Health
Commissioner and Rio Tinto also launched their memorandum of understanding for
2013–2015 to contribute to mental health in line with Mental Health
2020. The partnership aims to share expertise across sectors and to improve
mental health and reduce stigma within the industry and broader community.
(5) The state
suicide prevention strategy is being independently evaluated by Edith Cowan
University. Programs funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Drug and
Alcohol Office are required to provide interim and final reports and financial
acquittals to demonstrate that the project objectives have been met.
(1) Yes, the
report has been referred to the Mental Health Commission and the Drug and
Alcohol Office for consideration.
(2) The
majority of the report's recommendations relate to commonwealth
responsibilities and actions. The state government welcomes the opportunity to
work collaboratively and consultatively with the commonwealth to address mental
health and alcohol and other drug issues affecting FIFO and DIDO workers. The
merger of the MHC and DAO provides a further opportunity to improve the
coordination and delivery of mental health and alcohol and other drug services
to improve mental health outcomes for Western Australians.
(3)–(4)
FIFO and DIDO workers and their families are able to access public community
mental health services throughout the state for appropriate assessment and
treatment. There is an existing network of community drug services throughout
Western Australia. The state government has also made significant investments
in the expansion of alcohol and other drug services and programs in Pilbara and
Kimberley communities through the royalties for regions program. This has
provided 27 additional full-time equivalent positions in the Kimberley and
Pilbara areas, of which 19 are currently filled. Significant resourcing is also
being applied to the development and implementation of alcohol and other drug
management plans in the goldfields region through the commonwealth Breaking the
Cycle program.
The state strategic policy for
mental health reform—''Mental Health 2020: Making it personal
and everybody's business''—identifies fly in, fly out
workers and their families as a population requiring specialist responses to
improve their mental health outcomes.
The $13 million ''Western
Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2009–2010: Everybody's
Business'' includes several community action plans that encompass FIFO
source communities and mining towns.
In 2013, the Mental Health Commission
provided $80 000 to the Mental Illness Fellowship of WA to run forums and
develop mental health multimedia resources for fly in, fly out workers and
their families.
On 1 August 2013, the Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Mental Health, Andrea Mitchell, MLA, launched
FIVE, a two-year pilot project funded by Rio Tinto's community
investment program and delivered by Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the
Arts Australia. Covering Derby, Paraburdoo, Geraldton, Busselton and Esperance,
it will look at FIFO issues and community impacts; young people with mental
illness; farmers experiencing isolation and depression; and remote Aboriginal
people.
On 1 August 2013, the Mental Health
Commissioner and Rio Tinto also launched their memorandum of understanding for
2013–2015 to contribute to mental health in line with Mental Health
2020. The partnership aims to share expertise across sectors and to improve
mental health and reduce stigma within the industry and broader community.
(5) The state
suicide prevention strategy is being independently evaluated by Edith Cowan
University. Programs funded by the Mental Health Commission and the Drug and
Alcohol Office are required to provide interim and final reports and financial
acquittals to demonstrate that the project objectives have been met.
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