SEAFARERS' MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

We found an interesting article on Martek Marine Innovative Ship Solutions addressing seafarers’ mental health issues.

According to a study by the Sailors Society and Yale University, conducted with over 1,000 seafarers, more than 25% of participants mentioned that they often feel down or depressed, as well as helpless or hopeless.

The reasons for these negative feelings were found in:

Very long contracts and poor communication with the outside world – Seafarers spend plenty of time away from home from four months and up to a year. They often have limited internet access and that makes space for the feeling of loneliness to kick in.

Physical demands and long shifts – Many seafarers are facing misreported working hours onboard. This can cause fatigue which is considered one of the top contributors to mental illness.

Social isolation followed by constant change of crew – In 90% of cases, crew members are multinational, which then leads to the language barrier or group formation that is not very inclusive.

Reduced crew numbers – The lack of workers on ships means more work for those who are currently there, and in many cases, this leads to excessive fatigue and a feeling of "burnout".

Alcohol and drug abuse – People react differently when influenced by opiates, they cannot focus or concentrate which poses a large safety risk onboard.

Bullying and harassment – Whether it is verbal aggression, cyberbullying, ill-treatment, sexual discrimination, or any form of physical aggression, it can still result in a serious mental issue.

Criminalization – Seafarers fear being held responsible for incidents at sea and have anxiety about investigations and prosecution. This contributes to mental health problems.

Half of the participants emphasized that they have never sought any help, and the other half sought comfort within the circle of family and friends. Only several of them talked to a colleague, which is strange since they have been working together for several weeks or months. These results are quite discouraging for the seafarers and the industry, considering that crew members suffering from mental health issues cannot perform their best. As a result, the quality of work will be highly affected.

“The average merchant vessel is staffed by less than 25 people, meaning it’s not mandatory to have a doctor on the vessel and this being the case, the vast majority of vessels don’t benefit from having access to a medical professional offshore.”

What can be done?

Fortunately, a wide range of support and guidance services are now available. Foundations like Mission to Seafarers and Seafarers Hospital Society now provide special support aimed at seafarers’ mental health. Also, anonymous digital support services such as Big White Wall help seafarers manage their mental health while at sea. Other than that, guidance publications are emerging every day on Maritime websites.

Support programs and resources, such as coaching programs and apps focused on seafarers' well-being, are needed to help address depression among seafarers. It is important for employers and colleagues to be aware of signs of depression and provide support, such as talking to someone or referring them to therapy or medication if needed. It is crucial for those in leadership positions to identify employees who may be struggling and take steps to address any issues that could be contributing to their mental health struggles. The entire article can be found here.