Mind Matters

Life at sea can be stressful. The nature of the job demands long periods away from family, long hours, and limited social time. Add to that the sometimes pressured work environment, bad news from home or a traumatic incident on-board and it’s easy to see why seafarers can become stressed, anxious or depressed.

It is now recognised that the mental welfare of seafarers is just as important as their physical wellbeing.

Mind Matters – the risks

It is estimated that one in ten adults experience mental illness at some time, affecting them and those around them, including at their place of work. At North we are well aware of the impact this illness can have, not only for the crew member but for their family, friends and colleagues. Mental health issues can lead to low morale, poor concentration and increased susceptibility to illness and injury. The knock-on effects can lead to severely degraded job performance which may put colleagues or the vessel at risk. In extreme cases it can erupt in violence on board, sometimes fatal, or self-harm and even suicide.

Mind Matters – the benefits

Improved mental wellbeing is associated with a range of better outcomes for people of all ages and backgrounds including:

• Reduced health risk behaviours such as smoking and alcohol misuse
• Reduced risk of mental health problems and suicide
• Improved physical health and life expectancy
• Better educational achievement
• Increased skills
• Improved employment rates and productivity
• Reduced anti-social behaviour and criminality
• Higher levels of social interaction and participation

There are many potential causes of mental stress and these can individually or collectively affect crew members in many different ways. Fortunately there are also many ways to help maintain emotional wellbeing and to assist in managing any stresses that might arise. There are also several ways to seek help if everything does become too much.

Mind Matters – Improving the mental wellbeing of your crew

Mind Matters is a North initiative to provide our Members with materials to support their crew in maintaining emotional wellbeing at sea and to give guidance if problems arise.

The topic is so wide and complex it is not possible to provide all the advice and information in one easy to read leaflet. Instead, we believe it requires our long term commitment so that we can look at the main areas of concern in turn, provide updates as new information becomes available and respond to suggestions from both crew and Members.

We have therefore introduced a specialist section on our website, ‘Mind Matters’ which Members can access and which will be regularly updated.

Our main priority however, is to provide immediate support for seafarers and we have therefore also developed a website which crew can access directly for further information on emotional healthcare – My Mind Matters.

MY MIND MATTERS

My Mind Matters is a website available directly for the benefit of crew providing information and resources for the emotional welfare of seafarers and covers potential causes of mental health problems, how to keep well and where to get help. The top tips, articles and materials available will be regularly updated and added to.

www.mymindmatters.club.

Most mental health professionals believe that there are a variety of contributing factors to the onset of a mental illness and these can be psychological, physical, social and environmental.

Psychological

Coping with past or current traumatic experiences such as a piracy incident, bereavement or difficulties at home will potentially affect an individual’s mental and emotional wellbeing and in turn have an influence on mental health.

Physical

Some of us are pre disposed to being at risk of developing a mental illness because of our own genetic make-up, but traumas to the brain can also sometimes lead to changes in personality and, in some cases, ‘trigger’ symptoms of an illness. Misuse of substances such as alcohol or drugs, a poor diet, low levels of fitness and fatigue can also play a part.

Social and environmental

Living conditions, on board and at home, and the quality of family and shipboard support networks can all play a part as can social isolation or being highly stressed at work.

However, through personal coping strategies, good physical health, social interaction and a positive sense of self-worth, it is possible to improve resilience to the vagaries of life, better resist the impact of distress and more quickly recover from a traumatic event.

But what if this is not enough?

Help is available in a variety of ways for seafarers suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, however serious, and what is best for one may not be the first choice of another.

Many of us don’t want to seek help although research has shown that men tend to hesitate more than women. Our reluctance is often because:

• We want to ‘solve’ this on our own.
  Trying to battle a major health condition on your own is like trying to push a bus up a hill – without help it’s likely to run you over!
• We don’t want to be a burden.
  We all like to help others when we can, it makes us feel good and it’s frustrating when we know someone could use help but doesn’t ask!
• We don’t want to look weak or appear crazy.
  Depression is a serious illness, if you develop diabetes or a heart condition you’d ask for help!

At home

Talking to a family member can often be very helpful. Someone who knows you personally and will be able to provide ongoing encouragement and support can sometimes make all the difference. Just speaking out might be the first step to getting better.

On board

Similarly, a trusted friend on board, who understands the stresses and strains of life at sea, might be good to chat to. The majority of people look on those dealing with depression with compassion, care and are willing to help.

Ashore

There are several seafarers’ charities based in ports worldwide and, through ship visits and drop-in centres, provide a range of practical, emotional and spiritual support to crew of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Mission to Seafarers and Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) together have a presence in over 200 ports across more than 50 countries, but there are also many other organisations offering confidential assistance.

Online

If it is difficult to talk with someone directly there are many websites offering good advice and for easy access we have listed the most reputable ones that we are aware of on our website.

Telephone helpline

However, when you’re not at home or in port and don’t feel comfortable talking to your colleagues on board there is still someone you can talk to – Mind Call is North’s 24/7 telephone helpline for crew members to call in confidence. Call +44 (0)191 235 3917.

MIND CALL

If you are feeling depressed, lonely or unhappy and would like someone to talk to, it can be difficult whilst at sea.

Mind Call is a free, confidential and dedicated emotional support helpline for seafarers on North entered vessels. The helpline is being provided to seafarers in partnership with seafarer’s charity, ISWAN.

The helpline is available to contact 24 hours a day. 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

The Mind Call team speaks Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi, Russian, Spanish and Tagalog as well as English and you can request a call back, use live chat or send an email instead.

Further details can be obtained at the Mind Call dedicated website – www.mindcall.org.

Author:
Belinda Ward 
Deputy Director (Claims)