by the OneCare Group Editorial Team
Addressing mental health concerns while at sea is crucial for fostering a supportive and productive environment with colleagues. Recognizing the signs of distress and taking the right steps to intervene can make a significant difference to someone’s well-being, and in some cases even prevent suicide. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of their protected characteristics and can impact on their performance, relationships, and overall morale. With the right approach, crew members can be encouraged to seek help and find support tailored to their needs.
Working at sea presents unique mental health challenges due to isolation, separation from loved ones, stressful conditions, long working hours, and limited access to support. Sometimes you may worry about someone and feel unsure about how to approach them or to show your compassion and support.
If you are concerned about a fellow crew member, you can follow these steps to intervene effectively:
Firstly, you have to recognize the signs. You can notice behavioral changes such as social withdrawal, increased irritability, or lapses in concentration, as well as any expressions of loneliness, homesickness, or stress. Consider whether your colleagues appear with physical changes as well; for example, have they been sleep deprived? Have they lost their appetite for food? Do they seem tired all the time? If so, notice the patterns of these changes.
Then, you can start a private conversation. Find a quiet, confidential place in the vessel to talk, such as the mess hall during off-hours or a private room. Ensure that nobody else can overhear your conversation and help your colleague open up about what’s on their mind. You need to use a calm and understanding tone that shows empathy, compassion and care. You can say “I’ve noticed you’re not yourself lately. Do you want to talk?” or “What has been going on for you this week? Is everything okay?”. Try to use open questions to encourage them to talk and reflect. Listen attentively and acknowledge their feelings. Avoid being judgmental; instead try to be compassionate and do not downplay their feelings. You can use phrases like, “You’re not alone in this” rather than “Just deal with it”.
Establishing an open dialogue with someone you are worried about can help to build trust and rapport with them. Once trust is developed, you can suggest onboard support resources such as the Captain, Medical Officer, or available mental health helplines. You can also offer practical support, if you can, such as accompanying them to speak to a Senior Officer.
You can check-in with your colleagues regularly, and follow-up on how they are feeling during meal times, breaks or other shared activities to show your ongoing support. If someone is not ready to talk about what’s going on or not ready to seek professional support, try to be patient and consistent with your encouragement and take action if needed. For instance, if their behaviour suggests a crisis (e.g., suicidal thoughts), report it to the Captain or Medical Officer immediately. You can do this by ensuring confidentiality while prioritizing their safety. By being proactive and compassionate, seafarers can create a supportive environment that fosters mental well-being and ensures individuals receive the help they need.
References
Owens, C., Derges, J., & Abraham, C. (2019). Intervening to prevent a suicide in a public place: A qualitative study of effective interventions by lay people. BMJ Open, 9(11), e032319. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032319
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (n.d.) What to do when someone is at risk. Last Accessed from: https://afsp.org/what-to-do-when-someone-is-at-risk/
Samaritans (n.d.) What to do if you think someone isn’t OK. Last Accessed from: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/
Photo credit
Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
