Proceeds raised during last weekend's Mining Emergency Response Competition Mining Emergency Response Competition in Perth have gone towards an emergency responder wellness app developed by support services provider Holyoake.
Proceeds raised during last weekend's Mining Emergency Response Competition in Perth have gone towards an emergency responder wellness app developed by support services provider Holyoake.
The app, My Wellbeing Mate, was launched on Sunday following Mining Emergency Response's decision earlier in the year to partner with Holyoake as its 2017 beneficiary.
The annual event held at Langley Park involved two days of competition between 15 emergency response teams from the state’s resources industry, and raised $60,000.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said the skills showcased in the competition, which simulate real-life emergency situations, would benefit mining companies in Western Australia.
"It is important that these teams, who are all volunteers, are able to continue practising the skills required to respond accordingly in the face of an emergency,” he said.
"Merc is a one-of-a-kind event that showcases the fantastic work our emergency response volunteers can do; it also develops their invaluable skills through competition.”
Holyoake chief executive Angie Paskevicius said the app consolidated wellbeing and self-help resources.
“Emergency responders are often confronted by traumatic situations and emergencies, and this can take a toll on their mental health,” she said
“The app our team has created is primarily for emergency responder personnel, mining company staff and their families, including Fifo workers, and anyone in the wider community who wants to reach out and seek help.
“The help can come in the form of quickly finding out where to go for counselling, self-help, family support and mental health checks.
“Often people with trauma bottle up their emotions or simply don’t know what help is available.
“We’re hoping the app will be the first port of call for people seeking help so they realise they aren’t alone and many services are available.”
According to Mining Emergency Response Competition, a recent study has shown workers in the police, fire services and ambulance showed high risk of developing serious stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), indicating early intervention measures, ongoing education and counselling were needed.
The competition was coordinated by Red Earth Health Solutions director Jen Pearce and contributed to the $280,000 the not for profit has raised for emergency responders since inception seven years ago.
This year’s teams represented Fortescue Metals Group, Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Synergy, Karara Mining, AngloGold Ashanti, Premier Coal and Northern Star Resources.
In past years, beneficiaries selected have included Miners Promise, Cancer Council and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.