Mental health at sea: Insights into seafarers’ wellbeing

Mental health at sea: Insights into seafarers’ wellbeing
Capt. Sundeep Sequeira December 6, 2024 https://safety4sea.com/cm-mental-health-at-sea-insights-into-seafarers-w...

During the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Singapore Forum, Capt. Sundeep Sequeira, Area Sales Manager – Singapore, One Learn Global, explored trends regarding seafarers’ mental health.

Even though seafarers’ mental health is crucial to their safety and well-being, seafarers experience depression significantly higher than the percentage observed in the general population.

As someone on the supplier side, I’m very aware of how dependent we are on seafarers, since they are the direct users of the solutions and services we provide. With that in mind, I thought it would be useful to put together a few questions and ask ourselves: How well do we really know our seafarers?
Which mental health disorder has the highest incidence among seafarers compared to the general population?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has the highest incidence among seafarers, with 37% affected, compared to 3.8% in the general population.

Which rank on board shows the highest risk of emotional exhaustion?

Galley Staff have the highest rate of emotional exhaustion, with 25% affected. In comparison, Officers are at 10.7% and Lower Crew Rank at 4.5%.

This finding really surprised me. As a former seafarer and someone who held a command position, I initially thought the answer would be the captains.
What percentage of seafarers suffer from depression compared to the general population?

Seafarers experience depression at a rate of 14.14%, significantly higher than the 3.8% observed in the general population.
Which are the Top 3 factors that contribute to increased mental health risks for seafarers?

Here are the top three factors: poor physical health, social isolation, and poor sleep quality. These are the leading causes, though there are 13 factors in total. Out of these, these three are the biggest culprits.
Other factors include:

Time zone crossing
Marital discord
Contracts longer than 6 months
Working more than two 6-hour shifts in 24 hours
Family unsupportive of career choice
Poor health habits
Low autonomy
Younger seafarers
Work shifts
Merchant fleet

Crew welfare is not something that happens automatically—it’s an active process that should be a top priority, especially for stakeholders who want to attract and retain seafarers. Creating a more appealing onboard environment is key to this effort.

As the industry faces radical changes with alternative fuels and decarbonization, ensuring that the workforce is properly supported, treated, and trained is one of the best places to start.

Making mental health an integral part of your company’s culture is vital. Help your employees feel empowered, remove mental health stigma and aid the crew to perform effectively under a healthy and balanced work environment. Reduce discord on board and improve the sense of safety and team dynamic through mental health support services.