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New mental health research project to further support FIFO sector

The State Government has granted The University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Centre for Transformative Work Design, $498,841 to carry out research into the wellbeing and mental health impact of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) arrangements on workers.

Mental Health Minister Roger Cook announced the research program today as part of the 50th annual Mental Health Week to encourage more people to turn their attention to mental health awareness and contribute to this Western Australian study.

The research program will seek to understand the range of workplace factors that contribute to mental health issues in FIFO workers and identify positive strategies that can be used by individuals, families and organisations in the FIFO environment.

A research reference group including the Mental Health Commission; family representatives; employee and employer representatives; and mental health, and alcohol and other drug peak bodies will guide the project.

The research is in response to recommendations from the Education and Health Standing Committee on FIFO mental health and concerns raised by families.

FIFO workers and their families will play an important part in this study and people are invited to express their interest and find out more by visiting http://www.crowdresearch.uwa.edu.au/project/mental-health-fly-fly-fifo-workers

Last month, the State Government announced another new partnership with The University of Western Australia which saw $500,000 invested into UWA’s Centre for Transformative Work Design for the development of a comprehensive set of mental health support resources for WA workplaces.

These two projects combined bring the total government investment in projects undertaken by UWA’s Centre for Transformative Work Design into workplace-related mental health and wellbeing to almost $1 million.

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