A UK charity has urged crew to seek help with mental health problems after saying suicide is now the leading cause of deaths on vessels.
The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) said the issue has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, with a number of reported suicides and attempted suicides on ships stranded by coronavirus restrictions.
The charity has extended its deal with mental health services provider Big White Wall (BWW) for another year, to offer help 24 hours per day online.
Users have access to trained counsellors, self-help materials, a support network and one-to-one therapy.
SHS has been funding the service since 2016 but recent take-up has been disappointing, it said.
Things need to be done differently
"Seafarers are a resilient bunch and some may think this sort of thing isn’t for them," new SHS chief executive officer Sandra Welch said. "But we’re living in unprecedented times and that means we need to do things very differently.
"Seafarers are key workers supporting us through difficult times. But they need support too and that’s where BWW comes in. No-one needs to know — it’s all entirely anonymous and confidential. We don’t know who’s using the service and that’s how it should be."
During the global lockdown, reports have surfaced of seafarers taking their own lives due to the inability to exit vessels.
In the first half of May, at least three crew members died this way on three separate cruiseships, TradeWinds has reported.
Columbia Shipmanagement told TradeWinds earlier this month that a suicide on one of its vessels spurred it to offer professional psychological help for crew.
"We really need to get the word out, now more than ever," Welch said. "So, tell your colleagues, tell your crew, tell your mates. Help is available — act now, before it’s too late.
"We’re all living in a crisis situation at the moment with huge stresses and strains. But the strain on seafarers is particularly acute."
Welch said seafaring can be a tough job at times.
"But now, with so many seafarers working well beyond the normal contract period, the strain is beginning to show," he said.
