The maritime industry is increasingly recognizing mental wellness as a critical factor for ensuring a happy and safe crew, experts agreed during a panel discussion at the 4th Crew Welfare Week.
The panel discussion, moderated by Capt. VS Parani, Vice President Marine at Tufton Asset Management Ltd, provided valuable insights on the topic. Panelists included Dr. Pennie Blackburn, Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Waypoint Maritime CiC; Caroline Jupe, CEO of the International Maritime Rescue Federation; Alexandra Kaloulis, Managing Director of I.M.E.Q. Center; and Güven Kale, Clinical Chief Officer at Mental Health Support Solutions.
Defining mental health: key parameters
To begin the discussion, Capt. Parani stated that mental wellness involves maintaining a positive outlook, fostering strong interpersonal connections, managing stress effectively, and seeking support when needed to navigate the demands of life at sea. “We need skills, tools, and support to manage the ups and downs of life at sea and maintain mental health,” he emphasized, encouraging the panelists to define mental health and identify its key parameters.
“When we talk about mental health, we often focus on positive dimensions, but it is, in fact, a holistic concept,” said Dr. Pennie Blackburn. “It encompasses our current state of wellbeing and our ability to function effectively in life.”
Caroline Jupe concurred, emphasizing that mental health is essentially about coping with the normal stresses of life. “Within the Search and Rescue community, we have seen examples where organizations embrace handbooks and implement toolkits,” she noted, underscoring the importance of having effective tools to assess mental health.
Alexandra Kaloulis reiterated that mental health is part of a broader, interconnected framework. She noted that the Ancient Greeks were the first to associate mental and physical health, as reflected in the famous saying, “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” Alexandra stressed that these two aspects are interdependent and influenced by environmental factors and circumstances. She proposed a comprehensive approach to mental health assessment, combining self-reporting tools, clinical diagnostics, and observational methods.
Güven Kale added that effective mental health assessments include subjective self-reports, such as clinical interviews and standardized questionnaires like the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). These tools provide valuable insights into an individual’s mental state. However, she emphasized the need to view mental health as a spectrum, incorporating emotional, social, and cognitive factors.
Dr. Blackburn highlighted the widely accepted biopsychosocial model, explaining,
Mental health is influenced by a combination of biological factors (e.g., genetics, physical health, gut microbiome), psychological factors (e.g., coping strategies, beliefs, attitudes), and social factors (e.g., working conditions, social support networks, relationships). These aspects interact in complex ways, shaping our mental state.
Mental health challenges unique to seafarers
Güven Kale highlighted the unique challenges seafarers face, such as isolation, prolonged periods away from family, limited recreational opportunities, and working in high-risk environments. She emphasized the importance of 24/7 hotlines to address these issues.
“Many seafarers reach out to discuss family problems that arise while they’re away, increasing their anxiety levels,” she said. She also noted a rise in reports of sexual harassment and bullying, adding, “People are now more open to speaking up about such issues as awareness grows.”
Alexandra Kaloulis identified sleep deprivation, fatigue, and loneliness as the top three stressors for seafarers. Recent research by her organization revealed that younger seafarers are at greater risk for poor mental health, often exhibiting lower resilience levels.
Additional risk factors include being single, poor physical health, exposure to noise and vibration, and non-compliance with established guidelines. These stressors can lead to poor sleep, reduced team cohesion, and other adverse effects.
The role of effective leadership and company culture
Dr. Blackburn highlighted a recent study by York University, which found that an uncaring company culture is the top factor affecting seafarers’ mental health.
Whether seafarers feel their company cares about them has a significant impact on their mental wellbeing,
…she noted.
Seafarers often face stressors related to interpersonal relationships, as they work and live in a multicultural environment that changes frequently, making it difficult to build strong bonds. Limited shore leave, uncertainty about voyage length, long working hours, and commercial pressures further exacerbate mental health challenges.
The lack of quality leadership onboard ships is another critical issue. “The relationships and atmosphere onboard, shaped by the captain’s leadership, are crucial for the wellbeing and morale of the entire crew,” Dr. Blackburn concluded.
By addressing these challenges and fostering a culture of care and leadership, the maritime industry can create healthier, more supportive environments for seafarers, ultimately improving their mental health and overall quality of life.
Moving forward
Addressing mental health in the maritime industry is not just about implementing isolated measures but fostering a culture of care, support, and understanding at all levels, all panelists agreed.
With continued collaboration and investment in mental health initiatives, the maritime sector has the opportunity to lead by example in supporting the wellbeing of its workforce and ensuring safer, happier crews at sea.
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