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For the past year, the importance of safeguarding seafarers’ well-being has been a theme of focus among the maritime community. Seafarers need to be aware and knowledgeable about stress and coping in order to strive toward a state of mental health and well-being.
Acknowledging the risks and personal costs endured by seafarers while at their jobs, talks on mental health and well-being were introduced during officers’ seminars organised by PIL and Ocean Tankers. During the PIL Officers’ Seminar, held in Goa (26-28 Jun), and the Ocean Tankers Officers’ Seminar, held in Yangon (8-12 Jul), WMI representative Priscilla Leaong conducted the talk on mental health and well-being. The topic generated much interest and was well received, with further conversations taking place during and after the session.
The general stressors of onboard life are well-known—seafarers are subject to fatigue, loneliness, sleeping disturbances, cultural differences, homesickness, piracy problems, communication limitations, bad cuisine, and the like. The bulk of stressors would be work-related, perhaps also rank-related. Although individual stress is personal and varied and some of the stresses are not easily shared among seafarers, seminar attendees were taught how to strive towards keeping a balanced psychological well-being. Awareness and knowing how to cope is a good start.
“The mental health of seafarers is a critical area that needs greater attention and support. Mariners have unique working conditions that can be a source of stress, and on top of that, limited opportunities for relief on board ships. An all-rounded approach of emotional, physical, and organisational factors, need to be adopted for the overall well-being of seafarers.”
– Mr Lim Tau Kok, WMI Advisor
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