The Australian government is investing AUS$1.5 million in improving mental health support for commercial fishers across the country.
The money will be used to expand Seafood Industry Australia’s ‘Stay Afloat’ program, which piloted in 2019 with an initial grant of AUS$600,000. This latest investment will help establish up to 50 hubs covering 150 seafood producing communities across the country.
Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Jonno Duniam, said that Australia’s commercial fishers were twice as likely as the general population to suffer from mental health problems.
“This program is all about educating people, developing those mental health support networks and ensuring that any barriers to accessing support are broken down,” he said.
“More than 230 industry members have received accredited mental training, 220 people in crisis have been connected with mental health support services, and 35 events have been delivered for industry members to learn about mental health signs, symptoms and where to find help.”
The chief executive of Seafood Industry Australia, Veronica Papacosta, has welcomed the commitment from the Morrison Government. “This funding will save lives,” she said.
“The pilot program developed highly effective grassroots, peer-engagement method which supported industry to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health, and how to connect with existing services,” she added.
