The mental and physical health of a ship’s crew is critical to the safety of all ships at sea. Ensuring a safe and team-oriented working environment is a key goal for both employees employed at sea and the staff supporting them on land, argues Dr William Moore.
UEven under the best of circumstances, identifying and supporting others with mental health problems can be difficult. The physically and mentally demanding occupation of working at sea comes with additional mental and physical stressors that can have a negative impact on mental health. Knowing and applying appropriate responses to assist seafarers at sea can be a difficult task given the ship’s location.
With these challenges for seafarers in mind, the American P&I Club, in collaboration with the Seafarers Church Institute (SCI), recently published Addressing and Managing Mental Health Challenges in Seafarers. The purpose of this guidance is to help seafarers and ship operators better understand the factors that contribute to seafarer mental health problems and what they can do to prevent and reduce such effects on crew. It is to do.
Extreme stress, in particular, can have a negative impact on mental health. Research shows that seafarers have higher rates of mental health-related problems than the general population or other professions.
When we understand the causes of mental health-related issues, we can better prevent and reduce their impact on co-workers and crew members. This guide looks at some of the common causes of poor mental health among seafarers and suggests various measures that can be taken to combat them. It also aims to help seafarers and shipowners recognize if a crew member is experiencing a mental health crisis while on board, and work with shoreside management and qualified doctors to manage the situation. Provides initial recommendations regarding actions that senior executives may consider. human resources.
stress factors
We know that there are certain stressors unique to life and work on board, and that social, workplace, personal, environmental, and occasional episodic trauma-related factors trigger acute reactions in seafarers. We are considering the possibility. These stressors can be exacerbated by and cause fatigue and lack of sleep.
More or less mental health concerns can surface even in the absence of acute stress or trauma. The daily challenges of life at sea can sometimes make it difficult for seafarers to maintain good mental health. However, if you seek and provide help at the right time, much can be done to manage the cause and symptoms.
Breaking down the wall of stigma
Stigma associated with mental health care poses significant barriers to people seeking, providing, and receiving intervention and professional care at any time. This is not limited to sailors. However, the perception that seafarers are resilient may lead them to hide mental distress, believing it to be a sign of weakness.
Maritime stakeholders, including shipowners, ship operators, seafarers and shipping agents, need to promote an environment where seafarers can safely disclose potential mental health concerns.
The main aim is to ensure that seafarers can proactively access the mental health support they need without fear of losing their jobs.
Importance of intervention
Research shows it’s also important to directly ask, “Are you thinking of suicide?” If you think there is even the slightest possibility that suicide is being considered. It can be a difficult question to ask someone, but someone who is considering suicide may feel relieved if someone brings up the topic and is willing to talk about it.
Some effective preventive measures
- Good internet access allows seafarers to communicate with their support network of friends and family at home, as well as mental health resources and professionals.
- Add support structures between crew members, such as buddy systems and mentorship programs, where crew members are encouraged to actively support and check in with each other.
- Port chaplains visit many ships each day and quickly get a feel for the morale of the individuals and crew on board. Even onboard ships with the highest morale, individual seafarers may be distracted by personal or family distractions and find it helpful to discuss things with a neutral third party.
- Quality of food, opportunities for rest, hygiene, regular exercise and a positive team spirit improve morale throughout the ship.
- Coastal vacations give you a break from work and personal responsibilities, and an opportunity to “see the world.” This can often be difficult to take advantage of due to short travel times due to port and maritime security-related restrictions.
- From firefighting training to anti-piracy and anti-harassment training, equip your crew with training and skills to help them cope with severe stressors.
- Recognition and appreciation from shipowners and vessel operators for the work that captains and seafarers do. It is thought that morale will increase if the service well done is appreciated.
Promoting good mental health
In summary, good mental health can be promoted by normalizing mental health as a natural extension to overall health and safety. It is also important to maintain a balance of rest and exercise supplemented by a healthy diet.
Well-established and implemented policies that ensure support among crew members in a safe, bullying and harassment-free environment are critical to ensuring a good safety culture for all crew members on board.
Ensuring opportunities and opportunities to participate in active activities such as sports and hobbies should also be encouraged. Finally, seafarers should have access to confidential and professional help and counseling whenever possible.
The above article is a transcript of Jori Poikola’s presentation at the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Hamburg Forum, with minor edits for clarity.
