Tag: wellbeing

If you have mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior may be affected throughout your life. Many factors contribute to mental health issues, such as: Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry; Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse and; Family history of mental health problems.

Mrs Karin Orsel, who is the new Chair of the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) from January 2023, reveals her plans to raise ISWAN’s profile to improve living and working conditions for seafarers and their families, highlighting the power of collaboration.

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Mr. Jannik Grothues, Managing Director, MHSS, talks about seafarers’ mental health challenges, noting that cases of bullying and harassment, suicides, panic attacks and hallucinations onboard show an increase.

Ms. Güven Kale, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO), MHSS, recommends best practices to ensure good mental health onboard, focusing on a holistic approach that includes connection of mind, body, and spirit.

The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) will deliver its Maritime Mental Health Awareness (MMHA) training to 3,500 officers at Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) over the next two years.

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Dr. Jason Zuidema , General Secretary of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) refers to the key drivers of crew happiness, highlighting that seafarers are not alone as there is a network for help to rely on.

As part of its SEAFiT programme, SAFETY4SEA asked maritime experts to answer what they consider the most important factor impeding this social interaction onboard.

According to RightShip’s 2022 Seafarer Abandonment Report, upwards of 1,682 seafarers coming from 103 vessels were cast adrift as 2022 became the worst year on record for reported cases of seafarer abandonment.

Lack of knowledge of mental health issues can make those who are affected by them more susceptible to stigma, discrimination, and exclusion at work, or even prevent them from finding employment in the first place.

The Iranian Merchant Marine Syndicate (IMMS) and ISWAN have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to improve the lives of seafarers in Iran.