mental ilness
A lot is said about the challenge of FIFO life on workers, but what about their partners? What is the mental health impact to those living with FIFO workers?
FIFO work has its challenges. The Australian mining industry is acutely aware of the mental health toll the FIFO life can take on workers. But the unsung hero in any FIFO family is the partner left at home. They, too, can experience mental health issues that often go unnoticed.
In 2018, the Western Australian Mental Health Commission (MHC) commissioned research on behalf of the McGowan Government. Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers was published by the Centre for Transformative Work Design at Curtin University with lead researchers Professor Sharon Parker from Curtin University and Dr Laura Fruhen from the University of Western Australia. The in-depth analysis of multiple research projects also delved into the mental health issues faced by FIFO partners.
The research showed FIFO partners suffered most due to the FIFO work arrangements, more than their children and more than FIFO workers themselves..
How is mental health and wellbeing defined?
For someone to be considered mentally healthy, they need a lack of mental illness while experiencing a sense of positive wellbeing.
Signs of mental illnesses include anxiety, depression, burnout and substance abuse.
Evidence of wellbeing includes life satisfaction and happiness, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing.
Psychological distress higher for FIFO partners
One-third of FIFO partners (33 per cent) showed high or very high levels of psychological distress, more than double the average percentage of women (14 per cent). This is the same mental health impact as FIFO workers even though partners don’t leave their home.
The figure jumps for FIFO partners when the FIFO worker in their life struggles with mental health issues. If the FIFO worker is happy with their personal relationship, the partner experiences more feelings of satisfaction and happiness. If FIFO workers are not happy with their personal relationships, their partner experienced significantly worse mental health outcomes.
Transition between rosters is difficult for FIFO partners
The research also showed a negative impact to family wellbeing and functioning during the phases when FIFO workers leave and return home.
FIFO partners admitted that being a “de facto single parent” caused them to feel lonely and overloaded at times. The separation could be quite sad, difficult and emotional for both the partner and their children. Being a FIFO partner has its benefits. Partners often develop a sense of independence, resourcefulness and increased emotional resilience while managing the FIFO lifestyle. They acknowledged the challenges associated with continually adjusting to the competing needs of the FIFO worker and children, which changed especially during transitions from site to home.
Risky behaviour with alcohol can be a problem for FIFOpartners
One of the more concerning findings was around alcohol use. One- third of FIFO partners (33 per cent) engaged in risky drinking at least once a month by consuming more than five standard drinks in a single occasion. This is double the average of 17.5 per cent for Australian woman who are at least 18 years old. By comparison, 62 per cent of FIFO workers engage in risky drinking. This may lead FIFO partners to feel they’re not indulging.
FIFO can be positive for partners if they have the right support
FIFO partners who received an induction prior to FIFO employment experienced higher levels of psychological wellbeing. Unfortunately, only 10 per cent of FIFO partners in the study received that kind of support.
Greater financial resources allowed some FIFO partners the ability to stay at home and care for their children or pursue other interests such as studying or establishing a business.
What can FIFO partners do to improve their mental health outcomes?
One consistent recommendation for both FIFO workers and their partners is communication with home and having flexibility to contact home when needed. With longer swings and more travel restrictions, families can take protective measures to stay in touch and be persistent in the need for phone calls, text messages, online meetings, and email.
Every FIFO work situation is different and every family has their own requirements. Being aware of the mental health pitfalls and how to combat them is the first step to better overall wellbeing.
New research into mental health among
FIFO workers aims to help develop policies and strategies to improve it.
The University of WA will study the wellbeing and mental health impacts of FIFO arrangements on workers, after receiving a $500,000 grant from the West Australian Government. The Wellbeing and Mental Health in Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) Workers and their Family Members project will explore aspects such as separation from family, travelling, rosters, team factors, leadership and general experiences on site, through anonymous surveys of FIFO employees. “Asking these questions will help us identify the particular attributes of FIFO workplaces that make a difference for mental health,” said project manager Dr Lauren Fruhen.
“A key aim is to identify positive and negative workplace experiences as well as strategies used by individuals, families and organisations to buffer against potential FIFO challenges. Without insights into the workplace aspects that shape the FIFO experience, targeted strategies and initiatives focused on protecting and enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers and their families cannot be provided.”
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate
Dr Fruhen said it was important to remember that mental health was not a ‘niche concern’. Every year one in five Australians will experience a mental illness. Mental health, like any other health condition could develop, change or improve over time.
“It is important to acknowledge mental health issues as a reality that needs to be accepted and positively managed without stigma,” Dr Fruhen said. “That also means that those who have mental health issues and are receiving treatment or have had issues in the past should not be excluded from the workforce.”
The UWA project will identify not only what contributes to mental ill- health but also how positive wellbeing and mental health could be protected and actively supported. Investigating deeper into the specifics of how FIFO work and workplaces can affect mental health should help employers and companies to develop programs and strategies to improve outcomes for workers and their families.
It’s not just in the interests of their workforce – a NSW State Government study discovered that mental health and wellbeing programs were found to have a return on investment between $1.56 and $4.01 for each dollar they cost. “This shows that there are benefits for companies beyond prevention and protection,” Dr Fruhen said. “So we can encourage employers to not think of the costs for mental health and wellbeing as an expense, but rather as an investment.”
The project’s findings will be reported back to the Mental Health Commission and insights generated by the research will inform workers, companies and governments on the issues associated with mental health in FIFO workers and how to best tackle those issues.