Ambos hit by PTSD, depression

A SIGNIFICANT number of Queensland ambulance officers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues as a result of stress associated with the trauma that comes with the job.

A study conducted by Griffith University in partnership with United Voice and the Ambulance Employees’ Association of South Australia, involved 1216 surveys and 72 interviews with emergency services employees in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

It found that in addition to the 10 per cent of respondents who showed a “provisional PTSD diagnosis”, more than 6 per cent had close to a provisional diagnosis of PTSD.

Anxiety, at 40 per cent, was also high in the workforce.

Depression featured strongly, with about 17 per cent of Queensland and South Australian participants indicating severe depression.

United Voice co-ordinator Fiona Scanlon said although respondents reported benefiting from organisational support, the union would continue working with the ambulance service to improve its systems.

“This study clearly shows that the pressures of the job are taking their toll,” she said. “It’s important for ambulance services to have credible evidence to guide employee support policies and provisions.”