BY ISABEL EVERETT
Three mental health coordinators have been appointed to Newcastle as part of a support program being offered to commercial fishermen.
$600,000 was committed to the Seafood Industry Australia, Staying Afloat Program at the last Federal election to bring support inline with what is provided to land based farmers.
Following industry consultation, Newcastle was one of three iconic fishing communities selected as the pilot program’s focus.
Research shows Australia’s commercial fishers experience twice the base-rate of psychological stress of any other sector, with a third of fishers who were suffering not reaching out for support because they felt health professionals wouldn’t understand them.
“We know supports exist, but our fishers are a stoic bunch and we needed to develop a specialised program that would encourage them to connect with existing services, which is exactly what our Stay Afloat program does," says Seafood Industry Australia CEO, Veronica Papacosta.
“There is stress related to uncertainty about future changes to regulations, access to fishing grounds and red tape," says program manager Jo Marshall.
"However there are also localised issues which are unique to each community that the Trusted Advocates are each familiar with and can speak to.”
Robert Gauta, Grahame Lewis and Diane Pracy are the Trusted Advocates for the Newcastle program.
“I have a close connection with the sufferers of mental illness, and would like to be able to help others,” Mr Gauta said.
“I hope I can help at least one person reach out for support, who otherwise wouldn’t have.”
The program will commence in 2021.
SIA is also making available mental health first aid training for members of the national seafood community.
