@article {bnh-7880, title = {Mental health and wellbeing of Australian police and emergency services employees}, journal = {Archives of Environmental \& Occupational Health}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, abstract = {

Answering the Call, the Australian National Police and Emergency Services Mental Health and Wellbeing Study, surveyed 14,868 Australian ambulance, fire and rescue, police, and state emergency service employees. Emergency services personnel had lower rates of mental wellbeing and higher rates of psychological distress and probable PTSD than the general adult population. Overall 30\% had low wellbeing, 21\% had high and 9\% had very high psychological distress, and 10\% had probable PTSD. An estimated 5\% had suicidal ideation and 2\% had a suicide plan in the past 12 months, while 16\% binge drink at least weekly. Only one in five of those with very high psychological distress or probable PTSD felt they received adequate support for their condition. These findings highlight the risk of mental health conditions associated with work in the emergency services sector.

}, keywords = {Ambulance, common mental disorders, firefighters, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress, service users, stigma and discrimination}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2021.1893631}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19338244.2021.1893631?journalCode=vaeh20}, author = {Michael Kyron and Wavne Rikkers and Jennifer Bartlett and Emma Renehan and Katherine Hafekost and Michael Baigent and Rebecca Cunneen and David Lawrence} } @article {bnh-7869, title = {Sexual Orientation and Prevalence of Mental Health Difficulties among Emergency Services Employees}, journal = {Journal of Affective Disorders}, year = {2021}, month = {02/2021}, abstract = {

Background

LGBQ+ people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer) are at-risk of discrimination and developing mental health issues within general populations. Limited research has assessed their mental health in emergency services occupations, a population which are known to experience poorer mental health. The current study explores the extent to which sexual orientation is associated with higher rates of mental health issues among emergency personnel.

Methods

A stratified random sample of employees from twenty-nine police (N = 8,088), ambulance (N = 3,473), and fire and rescue (N = 2,975) agencies from around Australia participated in a cross-sectional mental health survey (N = 14,536, male = 64.2\%, 42.7\% over 45 years of age, heterosexual = 92.7\%).

Results

Employees with a bisexual/pansexual orientation or those who were not sure about their sexual orientation were significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts, suicide plans, psychological distress, and illicit drug use when compared with heterosexual employees. LGBQ+ employees reported significantly higher rates of lifetime suicide plans and attempts. Specifically, LGBQ+ fire and rescue personnel were roughly six times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts, and approximately five times more likely to use illicit drugs weekly than their heterosexual colleagues in the fire and rescue sector. Female LGBQ+ personnel were significantly less likely to consume illicit drugs weekly and monthly than male LGBQ+ personnel.

Conclusions

Emergency services personnel are already at-risk of developing pervasive mental health difficulties. It is important that organisations foster positive working environments, particularly for LGBQ+ people who may be more marginalized within organisations.

}, keywords = {Bisexual, emergency services, Gay, Lesbian, mental health, Queer}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.032}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032721001506}, author = {Michael Kryon and Peter McEnvoy and Dylan Gilbey and Ashleigh Lin and Catherine Mazza and Wavne Rikkers and Jennifer Bartlett and David Lawrence} } @article {bnh-7040, title = {Experiences of Police and Emergency Services Employees with Workers{\textquoteright} Compensation Claims for Mental Health Issues}, journal = {Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, pages = {1-10}, abstract = {

Purpose\ To assess employees{\textquoteright} experiences of the workers{\textquoteright} compensation claim process for psychological trauma, stress or a mental health condition sustained during the course of work in the police and emergency services sector.\ Methods\ 14,868 employees (69.4\% male, response rate = 22\%) from around Australia participated in\ Answering the Call: the Beyond Blue National Mental Health and Wellbeing Study of Police and Emergency Services, and were asked questions regarding their workers{\textquoteright} compensation experiences for mental health reasons.\ Results\ 14\% of all employees in police and emergency services organisations had made a workers{\textquoteright} compensation claim for mental health reasons. Only 8.2\% of employees making a claim had a positive experience (95\% CI 6.6{\textendash}9.8) while 70.3\% had a poor experience (95\% CI 67.6{\textendash}73.0). Two-thirds of employees who had made a claim reported that the process was unsupportive and stressful, and over half reported that it had an overall negative impact on their recovery. Employees with poor overall support from their managers and those who perceived negative stigma about mental health in their workplace were more likely to report poor experiences.\ Conclusions\ The workers{\textquoteright} compensation process is perceived negatively by most police and emergency services employees who have experience with it, and a majority found that it negatively impacted on their recovery. Ways to reform the system to better support employees experiencing significant functional impairments related to mental health issues should be urgently considered.

}, keywords = {emergency responders, mental health, police, worker{\textquoteright}s compensation}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09909-8}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10926-020-09909-8}, author = {Michael Kyron and Wavne Rikkers and Patrice O{\textquoteright}Brien and Jennifer Bartlett and David Lawrence} } @article {bnh-7041, title = {Prevalence and predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among Australian police and emergency services employees}, journal = { Australian \& New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry}, year = {2020}, month = {07/2020}, abstract = {

Objective:

This study presents rates of suicide thoughts and behaviours of police and emergency services personnel around Australia. In addition, it examines personal (i.e. mental health, substance use) and working environment risk and protective factors.

Method:

A stratified random sample of personnel from 33 Australian emergency services organisations were invited to participate in a mental health and wellbeing survey. In total, 14,868 Australian ambulance, fire and rescue, police and state emergency services employees participated and self-reported any suicidal thoughts, plans and/or attempts in the 12 months prior to the survey or at any stage in their life. Logistic regressions assessed factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Results:

Employees reported notably higher rates of suicidal thoughts and plans than the general Australian adult population, but not attempts. Male, single/divorced, non-heterosexual or longer-serving employees reported higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours across each sector. Perceptions of stigma regarding mental health conditions from others in the workplace, negative impact of work on one{\textquoteright}s private life and low meaning of work were associated with suicidal thoughts, while bullying significantly differentiated who planned and attempted suicide from those who reported suicidal thoughts only. Higher resilience and social support were associated with lower suicidal thoughts, while intermittent explosive anger and illegal drug use were associated with higher rates of suicidal thoughts. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms significantly differentiated who planned suicide, while misuse of prescription drugs and psychological distress differentiated who attempted suicide from those who only reported suicidal thoughts.

Conclusion:

Amid inherently stressful occupations, it is important that workplaces function in a way that supports their personnel. Access to mental health services should be promoted and readily available to personnel.

}, keywords = {Ambulance, depression, firefighters, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867420937774}, url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0004867420937774}, author = {Michael Kyron and Wavne Rikkers and Andrew Page and Patrice O{\textquoteright}Brien and Jennifer Bartlett and Anthony LaMontagne and David Lawrence} } @conference {bnh-4768, title = {Mental health and wellbeing in the police and emergency services sector}, booktitle = {AFAC18}, year = {2018}, month = {09/2018}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Perth}, abstract = {

While work in the emergency services sector is vital to the wellbeing of our communities, it can often be demanding and stressful. People who work or volunteer for ambulance, fire and rescue, police and state emergency services can face life and death challenges and at times respond to very distressing situations. Supporting and protecting the wellbeing of police and emergency service employees and volunteers is a key priority across the sector.

beyondblue is currently undertaking the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Study of Police and Emergency Services, with support from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. Phase two of this study involves the first nationally representative survey of police and emergency services workers and volunteers in Australia. This survey, called Answering the Call, is being conducted by The University of Western Australia and Roy Morgan Research on behalf of beyondblue. With participation from over 30 agencies from all Australian states and territories, the survey is investigating the prevalence of wellbeing and mental health conditions, the use of support services and programs, stigma, workplace culture and dynamics and other factors that impact on the wellbeing of police and emergency services personnel.

While results from the survey are expected to be released later in 2018, this presentation will discuss the approach that was taken to measure issues affecting mental health and wellbeing, the challenges faced in conducting the survey; and barriers and opportunities in engaging with agencies across the sector. An overview of what is already known from previous research in police and emergency services agencies and related sectors both in Australia and internationally will also be provided.

}, author = {David Lawrence and Wavne Rikkers and Jennifer Bartlett} } @conference {bnh-3885, title = {National mental health and wellbeing study of police and emergency services}, booktitle = {AFAC17}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Sydney}, abstract = {

People who work or volunteer for ambulance, fire and rescue, police and state emergency services provide vital care and protection to the Australian community. The nature of emergency services work means police and emergency services personnel\ routinely face life and death challenges and can witness very distressing situations. Like other workers, they can experience common workplace risks to mental health, such as heavy workloads, high demands, and bullying. Stigma regarding mental health conditions is still prevalent in many traditionally male-dominated occupations, such as emergency services. There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that police and emergency service personnel who retire or leave the job may have high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.

beyondblue, with support from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, is currently undertaking a national research study to build a comprehensive picture of the mental health and wellbeing of police and emergency services personnel in Australia. This study is using qualitative and quantitative methods in combination with a strong focus on knowledge translation to develop ways to improve mental health in the workplace. As part of this study, we are conducting the first national survey of mental health and wellbeing of current and former employees and volunteers across the sector.

This presentation will describe the development and design of the study. It is planned to survey over 20,000 employees and volunteers nationwide using an online survey vehicle. The survey will collect information about wellbeing and common mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide risk, stigma, help-seeking behaviour and factors that support or jeopardise the mental health of police and emergency services personnel.\  A key aspect of the project will be the knowledge translation phase which will draw from the survey findings to identify and develop feasible, acceptable and practical interventions and strategies to improve the mental health and wellbeing of police and emergency services personnel around Australia.

}, author = {Jennifer Bartlett} }