Mental health support at sea

ISWAN, Sailors' Society Wellness, ITF, mission chaplains, and what helps when the head goes heavy.

Mental health is a sea condition just like a weather system — it can come on quickly, it can be predicted in some patterns, and the cost of ignoring it is high. The first move is to talk to someone who is not your line manager: a peer, a chaplain at the next port, a free 24/7 helpline. None of these calls go in your file. None of these calls cost the seafarer money. The earlier the conversation, the easier the return.

Practical steps

• ISWAN SeafarerHelp — +44 800 012 1004 (free, 24/7, multilingual).
• Sailors' Society Wellness at Sea programme.
• ITF inspector at the next port can refer locally.
• Mission to Seafarers / AOS / Sailors' Society chaplains at most major ports.
• If anti-depressant medication is involved — see prescription medicine before joining.

When to escalate

• If you are thinking about ending your life — call ISWAN now, or tell the Master, the Chief Officer, or the DPA. Do not stay alone.
• If a shipmate has changed — talk to them. Buddy presence is the best evidence-based on-board intervention.

Last verified 5 months ago