TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 6
Recognizing the toll life at
sea can have on seafarers’
mental health should not
be underestimated
R
ecognizing the toll life at sea can have on seafarers’
mental health should not be underestimated, a
Government minister has urged
Following Merchant Navy Day this Monday (3
September), mental health minister Jackie Doyle-
Price has expressed her appreciation for modern-day
merchant seafarers and the impact weeks away from
their homes and families can often have on their well-
being.
A recent study published by the maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society
and Yale University found that 26 per cent of seafarers said they had felt
‘down, depressed or hopeless’.
Nearly half (45 per cent of the seafarers who reported symptoms of
depression said they had not asked anybody for help, fearing negative
consequences on board.
Jackie Doyle-Price MP said: “I am very grateful to Sailors’ Society for
bringing this issue to my attention, and for the work they do to support
seafarers.
“They do a vital job, transporting more than 90 per cent of our goods
and trade. Seafarers can be away from their family for months at a time so
there is clearly a need to protect their mental health.”
Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s deputy CEO and director of programme,
said: “At Sailors’ Society seafarer well-being and mental health are some of
our key concerns and we’ve developed our own Wellness at Sea coaching
programme to help the shipping industry ensure that life at sea doesn’t
take an undue toll on seafarers.”
www.sailors-society.org
A recent study published by the
maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society
and Yale University found that 26 per
cent of seafarers said they had felt
‘down, depressed or hopeless’.
Jackie Doyle-Price MP
heard about Sailors'
Society's work on a
ship visit with the
charity's Tilbury and
London Gateway port
chaplain Frans
Sahetapy and
advocacy manager
Jon Foster
Credits: sailors-society.org
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