A research conducted recently by Cardiff University, explored mental health and well-being among seafarers working in the international cargo shipping industry. The key finding of the study was that more than half (55%) of employers asked said they had not introduced any policies or practices to address mental health for a decade.
Under the study, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), over 1,500 seafarers completed a questionnaire on their experiences, while face-to-face interviews were conducted with a small group of seafarers, employers, maritime charities and other stakeholders.
Other key challenges for seafarers included long working hours, isolation and extended periods away from home, the study found.
In this regard, the study calls on cargo shipping companies to provide better support for workers to help prevent conditions like anxiety and depression.
This includes the provision of onboard amenities such as internet access, enhanced accommodation and recreational activities.
The video depicts Dr. Ivan Williams Jimenez, OSH research adviser, IOSH, presenting the key findings of the research.
All these findings give us a call for action to industrial stakeholders, such as the ILO and IMO, to take a step forward, either in regulating in this area or improving workers’ conditions.
See also:
Wellness at sea: Is life onboard getting better for seafarers?
