India is set to incorporate stress management and mental health training into its maritime curriculum following a new agreement with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Under this initiative, maritime faculty members will receive specialized training, enabling them to include a dedicated mental health awareness module in the national curriculum for seafarers. This proactive measure aims to create a supportive environment where cadets and maritime professionals can discuss mental health openly, free from stigma, and access necessary resources.
Director General of Shipping, Shyam Jaganathan, emphasized the pressing need to address mental health challenges, citing increased instances of depression, anxiety, and even suicide among Indian seafarers. These challenges are compounded by the growing issue of abandonment, with more Indian seafarers abandoned in 2023 than any other nationality.
The program, which aligns with research by the ITF Seafarer’s Trust and Yale University, seeks to equip seafarers with resilience and stress management tools, especially during their challenging early postings.
To remind, in 2019, the ITF Seafarer’s Trust and Yale University released a study which found that 25% of surveyed seafarers had scores suggesting depression, 17% suggesting anxiety, with 20% of surveyed seafarers reporting suicidal ideation. It recommended that “maritime training institutes should address seafarers’ mental health issues and train for resilience”.
The inclusion of this module will raise awareness about mental health among young cadets, students, and seafarers. It will also equip them with the tools to manage stress, particularly during their first postings on ships, a time that is often fraught with challenges and adjustment issues.
… said ITF Global Inspectorate Coordinator, Steve Trowsdale
The initiative reflects a global trend in addressing mental health in the maritime industry. The ITF has previously introduced similar training in Indonesia and across Black Sea maritime universities. By embedding mental health awareness in training, India aims to enhance the well-being and professional resilience of its seafarers, ensuring they are better prepared for the unique pressures of life at sea.
