In this article, we’re going to discuss the various aspects of mental health in FIFO in the mining industry as we believe it’s vital we talk about mental health openly, as it can often be overlooked or shied away from, despite there being some high statistics that it will affect more of us than we might realise. In 2019, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. In 2020, the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders rose significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial estimates show a 26% and 28% increase respectively for anxiety and major depressive disorders in just one year. 1
This article will discuss FIFO work arrangements and the impacts on mental health, further to an insightful and thought-provoking discussion we had last year with Dan Greco, an Executive Performance Coach who works with many people in the mining sector around performance, personal issues and challenges they face within the mining industry. He previously worked in catering as a chef, working on mining sites remotely and on FIFO rosters, so is experienced and understands what those conditions and environments are like.
We’re going to revisit this conversation today because it’s a subject that is still as important as ever.
Fly-in-Fly-out (FIFO) Work Arrangements
FIFO requires you to work long 12-13 hour days for extended periods of time. Often schedules of 4/1 (4 weeks on, 1 week off) or 28/7 (28 days on, 7 off). This means you are around the same surroundings, with the same people, which can become monotonous. It’s not like living a normal life at home, working within your local area and travelling home every day. It’s like living in a community and you don’t get to control everything around you.
When you’re working a FIFO roster, you have to shelve feelings for another time i.e. when you return home. Life has to keep moving, so family back home have learned to cope without you, which is tough on both them and you. The big things we’re okay at dealing with, but the little things we tend to have challenges with.
The Impact on Mental Health
The key mental health issues faced by FIFO workers include higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the general population. Factors contributing to these issues include the isolation of remote work, extended time away from family, and the high-pressure work environment. These mental health challenges can lead to decreased employment performance and antisocial conduct, further exacerbating the problem.2
Furthermore, FIFO workers have been found to experience higher rates of suicide and psychological distress than their non-FIFO counterparts. The demanding nature of the job, combined with the physical and emotional distance from support networks, plays a significant role in these elevated risks.3
What Can You Do When Preparing to Return Home?
Be mindful of your partner and family back home. There is a wheel in motion that doesn’t stop moving because you’ve returned home, so be mindful that you may not be a priority when you get home just because you’ve not been there; children, if you have them, or their own work commitments may still come first, and it takes time to adjust again. It’s also a good idea to relate to life back home before you get there. Ramp up the communication with your partner and family before you get home. Have conversations about what you can do when you get back and things you can do to spend time together. Explain you’ll be tired and will need some time to rest and sleep, but remember, it’s not all about you and life has had to adapt since you’ve been gone, and that won’t have been easy on your family.
Notice the Signs
It’s important to notice the signs of your mental health and well-being struggling. As humans, we’re good at sweeping things under the carpet, but instead, it’s best to face what is going on and have a conversation to get it off your chest and reach out for further help if required. Things to look out for can include; alcohol/drug abuse, signs of withdrawing because something is playing on your mind or putting on a bravado and not being real with yourself. It’s equally important to look for the signs within others too; if something seems off with them, having a quiet chat might be all it takes to let them know they’re not alone.
What Can You Do to Prevent Poor Mental Health and Well-Being?
Have a strong sense of purpose with a clear set of goals and measure your progress because moving towards those goals released positive endorphins which enables you to combat any negativity. Maximise any spare time that you do have and do things that you enjoy which will look different to everyone depending on your interests but you could get involved in the activities that are available on site such as quiz nights, yoga sessions, gym etc.
Find a few people on site that you can buddy up with and form good relationships with those people, as you never known if you or them may need that confiding conversation one day. Find support networks that work for you whether that is online forums or support in your own network, communicate with the people that have your back and check in on each other.
How to Help a FIFO Worker
Whether this is for your own mental health in FIFO or for a fellow FIFO worker, we encourage you to seek help from a professional. You may not feel comfortable speaking to your manager, so speak to someone in HR instead or reach out to a separate professional. It would be a sensible idea to take some leave to work on your mental well-being, get some help and take a holiday engaging in some enjoyable activities. You could also think about seeking career help to explore other options that could improve your mental well-being that perhaps aren’t FIFO or are an entirely different industry that you might prefer.
There are a number of resources and options available to anyone struggling with their mental health, you can read more here with Mind, get help here with the Mental Health Foundation or reach out to MATES.
In Conclusion
While Fly-in-Fly-out (FIFO) work arrangements are a necessary and integral part of the mining industry, it’s crucial to recognise and address the mental health challenges they pose. The isolation, extended periods away from home, and high-pressure environment contribute significantly to stress, anxiety, and depression among FIFO workers.
By being mindful of these challenges and taking proactive steps—such as maintaining open communication with family, recognising the signs of mental distress, and fostering a strong support network—workers can better manage their mental health in FIFO work. Employers also have a responsibility to create a supportive work environment, provide access to mental health resources, and encourage a culture where seeking help is normalised. By addressing mental health openly and providing the necessary support, we can help improve the quality of life for FIFO workers, fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce.
We encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode with Dan Greco where he shared all of this information with us.
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