The COVID-19 outbreak situation has significant impacts on crew wellbeing and due to the nature of their work, seafarers, who spend many months away from home working under challenging conditions are vulnerable to mental health issues.
As COVID-19 pandemic continue to cause instability around global, seafarers’ mental health is at the forefront now more than ever. “Mariner mental health concerns, including those stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, may include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.”…USCG noted.
However, mariners and seafarers may be afraid that seeking mental health care will jeopardize their medical certification. Still, mental health is somehow considered a taboo, with seafarers feeling uncomfortable to ask for help or talk about their problems with their supervisor or a colleague.
If you are a mariner who is in need of mental health care, please do so without fear of reprisal or punishment from the USCG and remember that it is generally better to seek help and treatment rather than putting yourself and fellow crew members at risk because of an untreated condition.
…USCG added.
In a recent SAFETY4SEA talk, Capt. Hari Subramaniam, Shipowners’ Club, noted that industry has made a good progress with regards to mental health but it is important to identify that there is still a stigma around and take proper actions in order no one to feel offended but to realize how important this issue actually is.
In that regard, we need to understand what has drastically altered the shipping ecosystem over the last years; to find the problem and an appropriate solution, he suggested.
Although there are many solutions and initiatives with respect of mental health, there are companies which adopt these without doing any proper research first. As a result, this may not be perceived by the seafarer as it should be. ‘’When it comes to mental health, it’s not one size fits all; as such, that turns out to be a more stressful experience for the seafarer”.
Government bodies have an important role to play in working to reduce the stigma and myths attached to mental health in wider society so that new generations of seafarer recruits will be more open and understanding of the issues surrounding mental health. What is more, governments can also work to ensure that cadets receive effective training on building resilience and mental health awareness so that they are adequately prepared for life at sea.
According to ISWAN, effective training in mental health awareness for seafarers and shore based maritime professionals working with seafarers can have a very positive impact on seafarers’ mental wellbeing and help to ensure they are well prepared for several challenges while onboard.
Employers should be encouraged, with guidance from government bodies, to develop clear policies and procedures which protect the mental health of their seafarers and ensure that shore based staff have a deep understanding of how to support their colleagues.
… ISWAN explained.
Overall, in order to develop successful strategies and promote better mental health onboard, the maritime industry must understand what seafarers are experiencing through and the difficulties they face, USCG concluded. In that regard, it is important to have mechanisms and support people who suffer and encourage them to be open and communicate their problems.
