Rate of Suicide is the Highest Among Seafarers Compare to other Profession. Here is why ? Part 1

Lack of Communication with the Outside World

(Image Source:Google)

Away from home between six months to a year, unable to see family and often with limited access to the internet to use communication platforms such as Skype or WhatsApp to keep in contact with loved ones: times can be very tough on a vessel and feelings of loneliness and isolation can soon start to creep in.

In this day and age, it’s hard to believe that internet access is not readily available across the globe, but Seafarers’ Trust recently reported that as many as 77 percent of seafarers have their internet access strictly limited, or have no access to internet whilst offshore at all. Could lack of communication with the ‘outside world’ be to blame for the large numbers of seafarers suffering with mental health concerns.

Physical Demand: Tiring kils 

(Image Source:Google)

It’s often said that seafaring is a physically demanding occupation. Nowhere has this been better expressed than by the International Maritime Health Association when it says, “It has been established that seafaring is one of the most physically demanding professions in one of the most dangerous work environments: the sea.”

The fact that there is global evidence of misreported working hours on vessels, shows how cultural and commercial pressures are universally shared. Many seafarers blame the demands of split shift patterns for the high levels of fatigue they experience offshore, but whatever the cause one thing’s for sure, fatigue is strongly linked to mental health problems and is considered one of the greatest contributing factors to mental illness.

Social isolation compounded by quick turnaround times in port

(Image Source :Google)

It’s been said that an increase in social isolation, compounded by quick turnaround times in port, can make a seafarer’s life very similar to that of a jailed inmate: the ship becoming a floating prison. As a result, and very sadly, depression, psychotic breakdown, and even suicide are relatively common, documented real-life consequences that result from social isolation of vulnerable crew.

Drug and alcohol abuse: influencing behaviour and emotions AND a serious safety hazard

(Image Source:Google)

Over the last few years we have seen an alarming increase in the number of accidents at sea in which drugs have been a causative factor. In some areas of the world and on certain types of vessel drug abuse is becoming a serious safety hazard.

Alcohol and drugs influence behaviour and emotions and are therefore a major contributor to mental health problems. People under their influence react differently, cannot focus and concentrate and are not able to perform complex tasks adequately, which also poses serious safety risks on vessels.

What about when seafarers aren’t working? Some people might argue that that the use of drugs whilst on leave is no business of the shipowner, operator or employer, but this argument does not stand. Why? Well, it’s been proven that the majority of drugs have long term effects which continue long after the drugs were taken. It may also only be a matter of time before the seafarer develops a taste for the drugs and decide to take them when working too.

Bullying and harassment: experienced by almost 50% of seafarers!

(Image Source:Google)

Bullying and harassment at sea can have serious consequences for the physical and emotional health of a ship’s crew, such as decreased motivation, increased absenteeism and a fall in productivity. What’s more, bullying and harassment can also have negative effects for the companies themselves, resulting in a deterioration of working conditions with huge organisational, economic and potential legal consequences too. Given the serious consequences of bullying and harassment, it’s shocking that according to research carried out by Nautilus International, almost 50% of seafarers have personally experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination at sea: this is a common problem.

Harassment and bullying can take a wide variety of forms, ranging from verbal aggression, ill-treatment, cyber-bullying or sexual discrimination through to various forms of physical aggression resulting in serious injuries. Enhancing the problem, there’s evidence to show that a large number of seafarers who’ve experienced bullying or harassment, don’t feel able to make a complaint, for fear that it wouldn’t be taken seriously.

(source:https://www.martek-marine.com/blog/mental-health-problems-at-sea-a-storm-is-brewing/)