An official inquiry into FIFO related suicides in Western Australia has been launched with the WA Education and Health Standing Committee agreeing to the move at a meeting last night.
The inquiry comes in the wake of a spate of suicides amongst FIFO workers employed on Western Australian mine sites. It’s believed nine FIFO workers have committed suicide in the past year.
The terms of reference of the inquiry will be confirmed later today, with the committee working towards presenting a preliminary report to Parliament by the end of this year.
The family of one FIFO worker who took his own life in July of last year spoke to The Sunday Times recently about their fears for the health and wellbeing of all FIFO workers.
25 year old Rhys Connor left a suicide note and spoke of the epidemic of depression amongst FIFO workers.
The note said people, “…don’t know what it’s like to work FIFO and have depression”.
According to Perth Now, Rhys had conducted an interview for a government-funded project on Australia’s mining workforce not long before his death.
In the interview, Rhys said FIFO workers were struggling with depression, relationship breakdowns and boredom.
He also advised others to seriously “rethink” the idea of starting a FIFO job.
Rhy’s mother, Anita Miller, was one of the driving forces behind the drive to launch the inquiry.
“It won’t bring Rhys back – but it could save others from committing suicide,” Ms Miller told the Education and Health Standing Committee.
? If you are experiencing depression or are suicidal, or know someone who is, help is available. Lifeline: 13 11 14, Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Source: Perth Now
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