SERVICE provider Gryphon Psychology has revealed five workers in the resources and heavy industry sector took their own lives in the greater Bowen Basin in a 12-month period to April, 2014.
In a submission to the State Parliamentary FIFO inquiry, Gryphon director Naomi Armitage said of the deaths, four were residential employees and one was a FIFO-DIDO from non-specified locations.
Ms Armitage revealed Gryphon staff responded to 50 critical incidents in the same period.
Gryphon has permanent clinics across the Bowen Basin in towns including Emerald, Blackwater, Dysart, Moranbah, Tieri and Mackay offering a general Employee Assistance Program and critical incident response.
"Across all client organisation groups, the top three referral reasons for seeking help are consistent for FIFO, DIDO or residential employees," Ms Armitage's submission stated.
"… accounting for a third of referrals to EAP (they) consist of depression/anxiety symptoms, relationship issues and family issues.
"Between April 17, 2013, and April 17, 2014, in our role as a provider of emergency counselling and support, Gryphon Psychology psychologists were deployed to respond to 50 critical incidents.
"These incidents related to events which occurred for both FIFO-DIDO and residential sites."
Ms Armitage said Gryphon did not record statistics of suicide attempts.
The company has serviced the resources sector since 2004, predominantly in Queensland.
Ms Armitage defined a critical incident response as "sudden, unexpected events that put those involved or associated under great threat, workplace injuries, sudden death due to medical conditions, vehicle or machinery incidents or near-misses, suicide of a worker on site or away from site, explosions, fire and gas leaks".
Queensland Australian Medical Association president Dr Sean Rudd said confidential consultations with GPs, nurses, and emails to more over 100 doctors and medical practices who worked with FIFO employees revealed the worst results were found in towns where compulsory FIFO was the norm.
"AMA Queensland has found general agreement that we are witnessing major psycho-social disruption of families with detrimental effects on miners, their partners and children where relevant and associated family member," Dr Rudd said in his submission.
"In parallel, we witness major psycho-social disruption of other groups including small business and service industry personnel who set themselves up to supply goods and services to the mining industry and its miners, only to be cast aside when compulsory FIFO became the rule.
"… While we realise FIFO has a place in a modern employment context, there is evidence that organisational management is causing stress, isolation, alienation, insecurity and powerlessness among FIFO workers and their families."
Dr Rudd said there was evidence that families of FIFO experienced poorer mental health outcomes, particularly children.
"Increased behavioural problems and negative emotions can be the result of a FIFO parent's extended absence, and this is especially the case among boys," he said.
"FIFO children also experience greater instances of bullying at school, and feel an increased pressure to succeed academically.
In 2010, the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health reported the rate of suicide of male miners was four times that of the general male population.
Dr Rudd said FIFO workers with acceptable shift arrangements felt harmonious.
If you are experiencing negative feelings, call beyondblue 24/7 on 1300 224 636, Lifeline 24/7 crisis support or the Sane Australia helpline on 1800 187 263.