Research shows an increase in suicide attempts among seafarers since the beginning of 2020, in a time when COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of seafarers stranded onboard for prolonged periods away from family, adding to the already emerging issue of crew mental health.
According to a 2019 study by ITF Seafarer’s Trust and Yale University, positive correlations for depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in seafarers are:
- Lack of adequate training
- Uncaring work environment
- Exposure to violence or threats of violence
- Co-existing medical conditions (including cardiac disease and sleep disorders).
- Low job satisfaction
- Ill health (self-rated)
However, the unprecedented situation shaped by the pandemic created new grounds for the global discussion on maritime health issues. Global organizations, seafarers’ unions and associations have repeatedly rung the bell on governments to end the crew change deadlock and enable the safe transport of seafarers as key workers. Calls denounced that seafarers’ medical conditions were going untreated, ship visits by port chaplains and welfare workers were severely restricted, and access to free communication with families and friends was typically infrequent.
The calls reached a tipping point after reports of seafarers stranded on cruise ships taking their own lives. The death of a Filipino crew on the cruise ship ‘Harmony of the Seas’ made headlines in June, as she was found dead outside her cabin in a suspected suicide case. Amid these calls, a new study came to confirm an increase on suicide attempts.
Key statistics on suicide among seafarers:
- Every 40 seconds, someone in the world loses their life to suicide, said the World Health Organization, who shed focus on suicide prevention on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day 2019.
- A 2018 study by Sailor’s Society and Yale University to more than 1,000 seafarers showed that over 25% of seafarers suffered from severe depression and nearly half of them (45%) had not asked anybody for help.
- A 2020 wellness survey by Filistos ASCOT SA and partners on 4,989 seafarers revealed a significant increase in depressive symptoms and showed that the percent of people that have seriously thought about ending their own life in 2020 has more than doubled amongst seafarers. Preliminary data show there is an increase on suicide attempts since the beginning of 2020, especially since March. This number is extremely high, and interventions must be planned and put into action.
- A compilation of 20 published reports covering the years 1960–2009 showed that 1,011 seafarer deaths out of 17,026 total seafarer deaths were by suicide – for a percentage of 5.9% of all deaths. They ranged from a low of 3.1% to a high of 18.0%.
- A second compilation of 12 reports of deaths due to illness from 1992–2007 showed 590 seafarer deaths by suicide out of 4,573 deaths due to illness, or 13.1% of deaths. In these 12 studies the percentages ranged from a low of 5.7% to a high of 27.5%.
What can I do?
For anyone coping with suicidal thoughts, the Mental Health Foundation issued an infographic in 2019 under the theme ‘WAIT’, providing four simple tips:
W– Watch out for signs of distress and changes in behaviour
A– Ask: ‘Are you having suicidal thoughts?’
I– It will pass, assure your loved one that, with help, the suicidal feelings will pass with time
T– Talk to each other, encourage your loved one to seek help from a GP or health professional.
What can others do?
Better observing and identifying behaviors of others is particularly important for preventing suicides. In its latest mental health guide, AMSA identified the following signs in crew, if they are out of character:
- withdrawing, isolating, or being quieter than usual
- appearing distressed
- appearing agitated or irritable
- having difficulty managing the work or workload
- being argumentative, aggressive or getting into conflict
- being confused, unusually forgetful, or having trouble concentrating.
What can the industry do?
Moving forward, there needs to be a unified approach that looks at protecting the mental health of seafarers at government level, organizational level and individual level, according to Caitlin Vaughan, Project Manager at ISWAN.
For example, more research is needed to identify the many causes of fatigue and stress and for ship owners to reduce the factors causing fatigue and stress in the seafarers that crew their ships. Further research into seafarers’ mental health, its connection to working conditions, and the prevalence of suicide would continue to benefit the industry’s response to this issue. Last July, ISWAN called ILO to consider steps in line with MLC, to ensure that all seafarer suicides are accurately identified.
A cooperation of employers with P&I clubs, unions, and other interested parties to prioritize strategies to mitigate the risks of poor mental health outcomes in seafarers, could be helpful for the future. Governments can also shed particular focus to ensure that cadets receive effective training on building resilience and mental health awareness so that they are adequately prepared for life at sea.
On its part, the maritime industry as a whole should strive to de-stigmatize mental health matters and foster an inclusive, supportive environment in the maritime workplace. It may be difficult to talk about suicide. But talking openly about suicide can help prevent it!
Did you know?
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) recognizes World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
