OPPOSITION leader Mark McGowan’s call for an inquiry into the suicide rates of fly-in fly-out workers has been welcomed by a Halls Head woman who has felt the devastating effects the FIFO lifestyle can have.
Jodi Paterson’s partner James Dowdell had worked as a FIFO worker for more than 10 years when he died on December 27 last year.
The father-of-two had suffered with depression and had been advocating for more mental health support for FIFO employees.
“He was passionate about getting someone out there onto the mines getting to know the workers, having a chat to them and providing some support,” she said.
“He would say that he was doing the job to provide for his boys, but he hated not being here and not being able to make those memories.”
At least nine FIFO workers have taken their own lives in the past year, prompting WA Labor leader Mr McGowan to announce a push for a parliamentary inquiry into FIFO work and suicide.
“Deaths in the mining industry attributed to mental health issues have reached crisis point and we’d like to see urgent action,” Mr McGowan said.
“FIFO workers and their families deserve some action because they’re too important to our State and the lives they lead are too tough for us not to care.”
Last year 25-year-old West Australian Rhys Connor took his own life, leaving a suicide note that said people “don’t know what it’s like to work FIFO and have depression”.
Ms Paterson said she spoke with Mr Connor’s mother, Anita.
“I know Anita and I spoke to her,” Ms Paterson said.
We both said it’s about making change, and the way to do that is to get the companies to change the environment there.
- Jodi Paterson
“We both said it’s about making change, and the way to do that is to get the companies to change the environment there.
“If we had depression we could go and seek help; there are the resources to do that.
“But on sites there just aren’t; there is no recognition of mental health.
“I can’t bring Jim back, but we can make a change so families don’t look back and say ‘I wish we could have done something more’.”
Since Mr Dowdell’s death Ms Paterson has been a fierce advocate for FIFO workers and their families, calling for more Government funding for mental health support both on and off the job.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the Mental Health Commission had found FIFO and drive-in drive-out workers were especially vulnerable to factors known to contribute to suicide, such as social isolation and relationship stress.
She said results of a recent research report which surveyed 924 workers had informed plans for more support services.
“Our effort is focused on taking action on the ground now, action that will have real impacts based on the wealth of information already gathered on how best to support workers,” she said.
“To assist in this, I have recently appointed Andrew Harding, chief executive at Rio Tinto Iron-ore to the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention.
“Mr Harding will bring the FIFO/DIDO perspective to the council and its action planning and implementation.”
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