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Mental-health crisis — urgent

If you are in immediate suicidal crisis, you are not alone, and free help is available right now from a trained, multilingual counsellor. This topic is the urgent-action page; for general mental-health support see the broader Mental Health topic. The numbers below are 24/7 and confidential. Your owner, master, and flag state are not notified unless you ask for that escalation.

Step-by-step

  1. Right now: call ISWAN SeafarerHelp +44 800 012 1004 (free, 24/7, multilingual) or WhatsApp +44 7909 470732. They will not contact your employer.
  2. If you cannot call: text 'SHOUT' to 85258 (UK, free, 24/7, anonymous). Or use findahelpline.com to find your country's crisis text line.
  3. On board: tell one person you can trust (master, chief mate, chief engineer, or DPA — Designated Person Ashore is confidential under ISM Code). DPA contact is on the SMS poster in the messroom.
  4. Move yourself to a low-risk space: messroom, bridge wing, with another person. Do not be alone in your cabin during acute crisis. Hand any potentially-dangerous items to a trusted person.
  5. Request emergency medical evacuation if you believe you are in imminent danger. The master MUST make the request to MRCC under SOLAS V/4.1. This is not a career-ending event — the IMO 2022 guidelines on fitness for duty explicitly recognise mental health.
  6. After the immediate crisis: the operator's P&I cover normally pays for crisis counselling and repatriation if needed under MLC Reg. 4.3. Insist on it. ITF, Sailors' Society, and Mission to Seafarers all have post-crisis follow-up.
  7. Returning to sea after a crisis: medical fitness re-certification is required. Most flag states accept psychiatric and GP letters; some require flag-state Medical Officer review. This is a normal process — many seafarers return successfully.

Evidence to save

What NOT to sign

Legal basis

MLC 2006 Reg. 4.3 (health and safety protection). SOLAS V/4.1 (search and rescue obligation). IMO 2022 Guidelines on Fatigue (incorporates fitness-for-duty mental-health considerations). ISM Code (DPA confidentiality). National crisis frameworks: UK Mental Health Act 1983 + Mental Capacity Act; Norway helsepersonelloven; Philippines RA 11036 (Mental Health Act).

Primary sources

Related terms

Organisations that can help

Disclaimer. Crisis information only. If you or someone onboard is in immediate danger, call the master + the nearest national emergency line FIRST, then ISWAN +44 800 012 1004.