Promoting Awareness

It is well understood that seafarers are exposed to an environment where mental health and wellbeing needs and the required support are somewhat different to many other industries.

Guiding Principles

  1. Show visible leadership in how to support each other with the recognition that we all may struggle to maintain our own mental health and wellbeing.
  2. Develop a culture which recognises the need to take care of each other, where everyone feels safe to speak up without fear of negative consequence.
  3. Raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing and encourage staff to participate in training and engagement.
  4. Ensure the policies, procedures and structures are in place to promote and protect good mental health and wellbeing, and ensure all staff know the details of the support services available to them.
  5. Ensure that support and guidance continues to be promoted as staff progress in their careers, recognising potential additional pressures as they move up the ranks.
  6. Acknowledge how modern pressures of working at sea can affect everyone.
  7. Regularly monitor employee happiness and engage with staff about any improvements that could be made.
  8. Ensure all staff know how to reach out to somebody they may be concerned about and where to seek guidance if they believe someone may be in need of support.

Resources

Wellbeing & Care
ISWAN

Mentally healthy ships: policy and practice to promote mental health onboard

Useful information for companies & operators on how best to devise and implement mental health policies and practices that promote and protect positive mental health shore-side and on-board.

Guidance
Download
Wellbeing & Care
Human Rights At Sea

Managing Traumatic Stress: Guidance for Maritime Organisations

Information for companies & operators to develop a traumatic stress management policy or guideline.

Guidance
Download
Wellbeing & Care
Maritime and Coastal Guard Agency

MGN 505 (M) Human Element Guidance - Part 1: Fatigue and Fitness

Information for companies & operators, shore & onboard management, on causes of fatigue and guidance on good practices to prevent and manage fatigue.

Guidance
Download
Wellbeing & Care
OceanTG

Seafarers Mental Health and Wellbeing: Facilitator Notes

A facilitator’s guide that accompanies a training package for exploring what seafarers can do to improve their mental health.

Guidance
Link
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