FLY IN FLY OUT - SHOUT OUT!

What’s your “help-seeking” mentality?

Thousands of Australian families have been impacted by fly in fly out (FIFO), drive in drive out (DIDO) and bus in bus out (BIBO) work for at least twenty five years now. This lifestyle involves over 100,000 Australian workers travelling to non-residential based gas, oil and mining operations to work ten to fourteen hour shifts for two to six weeks at a time. Whilst the financial gains from this type of work are substantial, the undesirable impact this type of work is having on individuals, couples, and family units is becoming hard to ignore.

A 2013 Federal Inquiry concluded there is widespread concern for the health implications of FIFO work. The research commissioned this year by Lifeline WA (2013) makes a contribution toward knowledge about FIFO, specifically in relation to the mental health of FIFO workers.

A key finding being one of the greatest barriers is an adverse “help-seeking” mentality.  That is, the stigma associated with asking for help from the Counselling or Mental Health industry. Furthermore,

• Males were more likely to access informal supports during times of personal stress and females were more likely to access formal supports.
•  Young people were more likely to access formal and informal supports.
•  Those 50+ were less likely to access any form of support. 
•  A significant number of FIFO workers were divorced.

It’s not ALL bad!   Here’s the UPSIDE:

-          Financial rewards.
-          Live anywhere.
-          Extended time off.
-          Changing jobs is easier with minimal disruption to the family and home life.
-          Quality time during time off to be with family (especially children).
-          Easier to schedule meetings/appointments during business hours when at home.
-          Travel to new locations for jobs.
-          Meet new people.
-          Clear separation between personal and work life.
-          Opportunity to study on-site.
-          Avoid the rut of standard 9-5 positions.
-          Maintain regular exercise on the job.
-          Access to healthy food options on-site.
-          Accumulate frequent flyer points that can be used on rostered time off.

However, FIFO Work can Impact Families in these ways:

• Relationships become strained. 
• One parent often takes on the role of single parent.
• Children are impacted emotionally spending time looking forward to Mum or Dad's return and then having to say good- bye again. 
• FIFO workers may find it difficult to adjust from single life to family life
• Both partners need down time, time with each other, and time with their children. (Very difficult to juggle as the parent who stays at home with the children needs some time out from being a single parent and the FIFO worker needs time to wind down after working such long hours.)
• Greater use of pornography.

Ways FIFO Work Impacts Individuals.

• A sense of isolation and loneliness that can lead to depression.
• This isolation and time away from a partner can lead to fantasies about partner being unfaithful or not interested leading to insecurities.
• Difficulties forming new relationships if single. 
• Changes in mood are often experienced by FIFO workers. 
• Fatigue due to very long shifts.
• Missing significant events such as birthdays and weddings. 
• Often high levels of stress.
  
• Struggling to feel part of the community due to long stretches away.
• A sense of not 'belonging' anymore.

Science Network (2012) also revealed binge drinking and/or recreational drug use and poor diet with subsequent obesity is a common feature of the FIFO lifestyle. 

This week marked World Suicide Prevention Day where “Beyond Blue” announced new support training initiatives in male dominated work places on the back of this information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• At least 5 men die by suicide every day in Australia (ABS, 2012).
  
• Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged under 45.
  
• The highest suicide rate for males in 2010 was observed in the 35 to 49 years age group, followed by men aged 75 years and over. 
• In 2010, there were 1,816 male suicides in Australia, compared to 993 males who died on Australian roads – a ratio of almost 2:1.

The Lifeline WA (2013) research suggested that issues might be addressed within pre-FIFO employment training addressing:·         

1. What to expect from FIFO work.
2. How to cope effectively with the practical demands of FIFO work (hydration, eating healthily)
3. How to cope effectively with the impact of FIFO work on the self, family and friends.
4. Types of support services and their availability
5. Role of support services and different health professionals
6. How to recognise symptoms associated with mental health problems.

Furthermore, FIFO workers were unlikely to access support services during times of personal stress.  There is a clear need for ongoing support services to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and help-seeking. We need to increase mental health literacy, promote effective coping, self-efficacy and self-care.

If you are experiencing coping difficulties, or your relationships are starting to suffer as a result of fly in fly out or similar work, please contact Jo Wilson, TheConfidante on 0499991884 or [email protected] to further discuss your concerns.  Personal face to face sessions are preferable however Skype, Iphone Facetime or telephone appointments are welcome.

In the meantime, enjoy our FIFO/DIDO/BIBO Support Series on Facebook commencing this month!

Have you LIKED? https://www.facebook.com/TheConfidanteCounselling

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