An initiative focusing on improving the mental health of people in the commercial fishing industry will be trialed in Newcastle.
The $600,000 pilot program by Seafood Industry Australia and Women in Seafood Australasia will provide training and resources to people in and around the commercial fishing industry to help better identify and respond to mental health issues in people working in the sector and connect fishos with services.
"Research has shown Australia's commercial fishers experience twice the base-rate of psychological stress of any other sector, and this is not OK," Seafood Industry Australia interim CEO Veronica Papacosta said.
"As part of Seafood Industry Australia's 2019 Federal Election package we asked for funding to develop the first industry-specific mental health support program just like land-based farmers, mining and construction industries have.
"We understand the pressures our fishers face are unique to industry, and a third of fishers who were suffering psychological stress said they hadn't reached out for support because they didn't feel health professionals would understand the pressures of the fishing industry."
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