01:10 am, Friday 18 January, 2013

The range and severity of mental health risks to rural doctors and medical students will be gauged as part of a national beyondblue survey starting February. The survey will include 8,000 students and 40,000 doctors, including all doctors working in rural areas.

In a statement, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Academic Director, Associate Professor Lucie Walters said that rural doctors and medical students are facing the risk of assuming they should be totally in control of their own health or at least appear to be in control.

“Because we are in a unique position managing the health of a community of patients, we are at risk of assuming we should be fully in control of our own health, or at least be seen to be in control,” said Dr Walters, who’s also a practicing rural GP-obstetrician in Mt Gambier, South Australia.

“We often share our community’s unrealistically high expectations of ourselves, yet we are just as vulnerable as anyone to depression and anxiety.”

Dr Walters will be representing the college on beyondblue’s Expert Reference Group for the beyondblue Doctor’s Mental Health Program.

A literature review, The Mental Health of Doctors, published in 2010 found that:

• Suicide rates for male doctors was 26% above the general population rate, while female doctors had a 146% higher risk of suicide
• Medical practitioners were less likely to seek help from colleagues because of concerns about stigma, career development, impact on patients, or sheer embarrassment
• No Australian studies examining the mental health of Indigenous and rural doctors

“Rural practice is such a rich and rewarding field to work in. But we must be realistic about our individual capacity to sustain a career, personal relationships, and our health,” said Dr Walters.

“To know what mental health risks for rural doctors and students need to be addressed, we must have good, current data. beyondblue is the ideal organisation to design and commission such a survey.”

She said that as the lead college in rural practice training, ACRRM will encourage all rural doctors and medical students to complete the survey to allow researchers to produce a detailed, useful picture of risks and possible solutions.

“Ultimately, the wellbeing of entire communities and regions depend on the sustainability of quality medical services. The linchpin of those services is the rural generalists. Their mental health and general wellbeing is therefore of national strategic significance,” she said.

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05:06 pm, Monday 17 December, 2012

A new study conducted by the researchers at the University of Newcastle aims to examine the extent and impact of mental health problems in the coal industry.

Supported by a $350,000 grant from the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP), Professor Brian Kelly together with his team will work with the Minerals Council and the Hunter Institute of Mental Health to identify mental health issues of workers in the industry as well as the impact of these issues to workplace health and safety.

“We estimate that mental health problems in the NSW coal mining industry cost up to $AU429 million in productivity losses each year,” said Professor Kelly.

“One in five Australians experience a mental health problem in a 12-month period. We know there is a link between mental health problems and injury, with contributing factors related to fatigue, and drug and alcohol use,” he said.

The project will involve open cut and underground mines located in NSW and Queensland. It has two specific aims.

“Firstly, we will identify the patterns of mental health problems among coal industry employees; the factors associated with these problems; and the impact on employees’ health, workplace safety and productivity,” said Professor Kelly.

“Then we will develop a mental health promotion, prevention and intervention model that examines the range of assistance currently available and develops strategies to promote well being and prevent problems.”

According to NSW Minerals Council CEO Mr Stephen Galilee, the research would build on the important collaboration established with the University and the Hunter Insititute.

“The mining sector is deeply committed to the health and wellbeing of its employees and their families. This vital research project will translate into effective solutions and demonstrates the Australian industry’s leadership in this important area.”

The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) is also supporting the project.

“Workplace health and safety and employee wellbeing is a challenge that impacts not only the mine site but also the communities and economies that rely on mining,” said NIER Director, Dr Alan Broadfoot.

The project will commence in January 2013 and will run for 18 months. It is one of the eight projects of the University of Newcastle funded by the ACARP.

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04:15 pm, Wednesday 21 November, 2012

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A new survey revealed that fatigue, illness and stressed partners are some of the potential impacts of shift work in the mining industry.

The Australian Coal and Energy Survey conducted by researchers from the Griffith University looked into 4500 mining and energy workers. The survey revealed that 58% of the total respondents had difficulty sleeping between successive night shifts and 62 percent experienced such difficulties when their shift changed. Forty percent said they would rather work on a regular day job if they could enjoy the same income.

In total, 37 percent of the respondents admitted using alcohol to help them sleep, although 5 percent admitted using it frequently or almost always to induce sleep.

CFMEU Mining and Energy funded the study and they say that the first wave of findings from the study goes some way to explaining why shift lengths and rostering are becoming hot button issues for mine workers.

They urge mine managers to pay attention to the research showing that shift workers and workers’ ability to have a say over their working hours had far-reaching implications for their physical and mental health and personal lives.

“This research shines a light on the very real impacts on mine workers and their families of shift patterns,” said CFMEU Mining and Energy Division General Secretary Andrew Vickers.

“As mining spreads into new areas and companies attempt to expand the use of Fly In Fly Out and Drive in Drive Out workforces – arrangements that frequently involve long shifts and rosters – it’s high time we looked closely at the toll these demanding shift patterns take on workers and communities.

“Those of us in the industry see it first hand – accidents on the road due to fatigue, drug and alcohol use, family breakdown.

“When mine managers consider extending shift hours and roster patterns they need to take into account the human cost as well; and the cost of high turnover due to unsustainable work patterns.”

“These issues are often more important than pay, because getting enough sleep and being able to spend quality time with your family affect a workers’ life so completely,’ said Mr Vickers.

“This study demonstrates the importance of management taking into account employees’ views on their working hours.

“Given complete ‘managerial prerogative’, for example in ununionised sections of the mining industry, they are inclined to burn through young, single men on punishing rosters.

“That’s no good for people and it’s ultimately not sustainable for the industry.”

Findings also include:

• Workers who want and are unable to attain fewer hours of work suffered from depression and recorded an increased use in sleeping tablets, antacids and anti-depressants.
• Mining and energy workers feel unsafe because of lack of control over hours combined with wanting to work fewer hours. It also had negative health effects, including on psychological health.
• In around third of the cases, the working hours of a couple were ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ in sync. Fifty two percent of employed partners worked at least some weekends.
• 65 percent of mine and energy workers noted ‘higher rates of pay’ as one of their reasons for working shifts and 57 percent cited blocks of leisure time. Nearly half or 48 percent indicated ‘no choice’ as one of the reasons.
• 61 percent had no say in how many hours they worked a week, 70 percent had no say in their types of shifts, 74 percent had no say in which shifts they worked on particular days, and 79 percent had no say in their start or finish times.
• Workers who wished to reduce their hours were about two fifths more likely to be using anti-depressants than those who were on the hours they preferred.

A second wave of research will be conducted in 2013.

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12:01 pm, Monday 20 August, 2012

This years Comcare Conference, 19^th to 21^st September, at the Sydney Convention Centre has a theme of Build, Connect and Support – Lead the Conversation, and more than 500 delegates from around Australia are expected to attend.

The generally spotlight is on mental health with sub themes focused on wellbeing:

Build—capability and awareness

Connect—people for better work ability

Support—people in recovery and return to work

The speakers will tackle traditional perceptions around psychological injuries, social inclusion, ageing workforce and rehabilitation.

Attendees will be encouraged to think differently about these areas and how they can be addressed, have opportunity to network with other OHS professionals and look at work health and safety issues.

Speakers will present thought-provoking ideas, concepts and challenge traditional thinking in the areas of psychological injuries, social inclusion, ageing workforce and rehabilitation. The conference will provide participants with professional development and networking opportunities and examine issues in work health and safety (WHS).

According to the Comcare website the objectives of the conference are to:

1. Examine contemporary issues and explore continuous improvement opportunities to better manage psychological injury

2. Contribute to improving individual and organisational resilience

3. Raise awareness to recognise the importance of effective people management as critical success factors for organisations managing workplace injuries

4. Provide participants with significant professional development and networking opportunities

5. Deliver relevant information, ideas and strategies to assist organisations to develop their capabilities and improve their health and safety practices.

For more information see the Comcare website

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01:41 pm, Friday 8 June, 2012

Young men suffering from mental illness in Australia lose more than nine million working days per year, says the report, ‘Counting the Cost: The Impact of Young Men’s Mental Health on the Australian Economy.’

“Mental illness in young men aged 12-25 costs the Australian economy $3.27 billion per annum or $387,000 per hour across a year in lost productivity,” says the report.

“The Federal Government bears 31% of this cost via direct health costs, disability welfare payments, unemployment benefits and the direct costs of imprisonment.

“Australia loses over 9 million working days per annum to young men with mental illness. On average they have an additional 9.5 days out of role per year.

“Young men with mental illness have much lower rates of educational attainment compared to their peers, further limiting their skills development and long term reduced earning potential by $559 million per year.”

To address these issues, the report recommends improving employers’ understanding of mental health, including the identification of disorders and awareness of support and referral services available. It also suggests initiating new partnership models between government, mental health service providers, NGOs, employers and business groups to create strategies that proactively support employees’ good mental health and ongoing engagement in the workforce.

The report also encourages enhanced reporting of government funded initiatives targeted at giving support to young men with mental illness to achieve full benefits of investment.

“Key objectives of these enhancements are to drive greater accountability of public spend and to provide better transparency and access to program performance and evaluation.”

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02:02 pm, Monday 21 May, 2012

Explosives expert, Darren Flanagan who was instrumental in saving Beaconsfield miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb from a collapsed mine shared his inspiring story at the Bondi Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast last Thursday.

Speaking at the networking breakfast, Mr Flanagan said he was not there to talk about his role during the rescue. Wentworth Courier reports that the explosives expert was there to speak about mental health and workplace safety.

“I don’t want you to think that I flew in there with a blue cape,” said Mr Flanagan.

“I feel guilty and sick inside that I got so much attention.”

“I never realised mental health was real,” he said. “All of a sudden I’m in the shower at home crying, and for the first time I realised mental health was real.”

He also encouraged businesses to give more attention to workplace safety to avoid another disaster from happening.

“People never realised what was really happening,” he said. “There was the euphoria of the rescue but no one saw what was left behind. There were more tears than cheers.”

“You’ve got to ask ‘what am I doing to my workers’ lives’?”

Mr Flanagan was called in to perform the risky operation of freeing the workers who were trapped 925m underground following a mine collapse in April 2006. He spent a week underground testing how he would successfully perform the operation using explosives which were not designed to be used near people. According to Mr Flanagan, the impact of the pressure he endured started to sink in after the rescue. He suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress.

Mental health issues affect one in four Australian men.

“We’ve got to stop this slapping on the back and saying ‘you’ll be alright’ after a beer.”

He now uses this life-changing experience to raise awareness on workplace safety and mental health issues.

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09:16 pm, Thursday 27 October, 2011

There was a lot to hear, see and do at the Sydney Safety Conference & Show today – as there has been each day. Some of the topics covered today included the emerging area of managing mental health issues in the workplace; managing the long-term injured employee; and several small sessions looking at safety technologies and innovations.

The first keynote speaker of the conference, John Watson, GM WHS Division, WorkCover NSW, asked the audience to consider the usual weekend BBQ. He asked, if one of our friends, or a child of a friend, had been killed that week at work – how might that change the situation? He implored us to keep that in mind when managing safety.

It is too easy to get caught up in figures, systems and programs to manage safety, and to manage behaviours of workers. The final keynote speakers brought the message home loud and clear.

TODD RUSSELL – BEACONSFIELD MINE DISASTER SURVIVOR

I have been privileged to hear some great speakers during my lifetime. However, Todd Russell’s talk today was truly heart warming and inspirational. He was just an ordinary man going about his job on ANZAC Day, 2006, when his life was changed forever by a workplace accident that would unfold before the eyes of the world over the next 14 days. Todd is one of the survivor’s of the Beaconsfield Mine Disaster inTasmania.

Todd gave a detailed account of what happened from when he clocked on for his shift that night until he and Brant Webb were rescued fourteen days later. I won’t go into the details, as most of us have read at least one account of this disaster.

What struck me the most about this talk is that Todd is an ordinary, humble, husband and father. He didn’t seek celebrity, but it came to him through a workplace accident.

The audience was spellbound – laughing during the funnier moments and welling up during the more touching ones. Todd Russell and Brant Webb’s lives were changed forever by this incident. Larry Knight lost his life, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

Following two days of presentations around legislation, systems for safety, statistics and research findings – the real message was brought home:

• workers deserve to be safe in their workplace;
• families should expect their loved ones to come home at the end of their shift; and
• employers have no right to put profits before lives.

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