The ITF Seafarers Trust and ITF Wellbeing launched a hub of information for seafarers to support their mental wellbeing, in light of the World Mental Health Day, October 10.
The hub includes many words and pictures of seafarers that express and reveal the difficulties they face due to COVID-19.
ITF Seafarers Trust shared an expression of a seafarer concerning their life onboard at the current time,
Hidden between the walls of steel,
In spite of all the difficulties, many words and pictures show seafarers finding solace in moments of camaraderie.
ITF Seafarers Trust adds that
In these difficult times, it is more important than ever to be able to reach out to talk to people. The support of friends, family and colleagues is vital to all of us, but where they are not available or for difficult conversations, helplines and support services can provide a lifeline in difficult time.
Concluding, a recent study by Cardiff University identified some factors pre-disposing seafarers at mental illness: isolation-loneliness, lack of shore leave, fear of criminalization, fear of job loss and separation from family.
