Introduction
Significant work is being undertaken across the industry and beyond, to promote good practice and support mental wellbeing. Included here, is a collection of services and online assistance that may be helpful for orgnisations, seafarers (current and former) and their families, to obtain information and support.
In addition to the resources highlighted within ‘[Seafarers] information and guides for mental wellbeing’ the ‘General helplines and online support’, there are many others available to support both companies and individuals around mental wellbeing, including the following:
International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) A membership organisation which works to promote and support the welfare of seafarers globally.
There is lots of help and support available to help seafarers (current and former) and their families.
Here you can find out more about organisations who provide guidance in a host of ways from helplines and online support, practical/ emotional and spiritual services, through to financial and legal advice and mental health resources.
| Document Title |
Overview |
Key Author |
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Good mental health 
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Section of the seafarers health information programme by ISWAN contains resources, including the two following practical self-help guides, available in various languages |
ISWAN |
| Psychological wellbeing at sea |
Self-help guide explaining the meaning of positive mental health and psychological wellbeing, how to recognize the risks to wellbeing, and how to maximize psychological wellbeing. |
ISWAN |
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Steps to positive mental health
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Self-help guide detailing some skills, exercises and coping strategies to help deal with emotions when life becomes stressful or mood is low. |
ISWAN |
| Seafarer’s mental health and wellbeing: facilitator notes |
Facilitator guide that accompanies a training package for exploring what seafarers can do to improve their mental health. |
Videotel in association with ISWAN |
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What’s on your mind? guidance for seafarer’s mental health awareness
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An overview of common risk factors of a developing mental health condition and the importance of recognising early warning signs. Recommended measures to prevent or treat an occurrence onboard. |
The American Club |
| The mental health of seafarers |
A guide to masters and officers to recognise the issues of seafarer’s depression. |
Melbourne Port Welfare Association, Rotary Club of Melbourne South & beyondblue |
| Looking after the mental health of seafarers |
An information leaflet designed to help identify and assist a seafarer with depression [available in English, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog and Russian language] |
Melbourne Port Welfare Association, Rotary Club of Melbourne South & beyondblue |
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Psychological wellbeing at sea: a good mental health guide for seafarers
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An explanation of positive mental health and psychological wellbeing and the risks to wellbeing as a seafarer. A collection of practical ideas about how to maximise their psychological wellbeing. |
Seafarers Health Information Programme, SeafarerHelp, Shipowners P&I and ISWAN |
| Health focus: mental health |
A practical information guide with assessment and exercises for better mental health and stress reduction. |
UK P&I Club |
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Remaining resilient after traumatic events
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A post incident guide for victims, their family, colleagues and friends including common stress-related symptoms and some helpful hints. |
Human Rights at Sea & March on Stress |
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Medical handbook for seafarers
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A manual to be used together with the possible medical consultation via Radio Medical. Help for the person in charge of treatment on board to choose the optimal treatment based on the symptoms and findings. |
Finish Institute of Occupational Health |
| Managing stress and sleeping well at sea |
Self-guide to help seafarers understand stress and its effects. Practical strategies to recognize stress and cope effectively. Advice on how to manage fatigue at sea and get the most from your sleep. |
ISWAN |
| Maritime Wellbeing fatigue risk management programme |
also within this website/App - further information on how to manage sleep, recognise fatigue and understand jetlag whilst at sea. |
Maritime Wellbeing |
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Organisation
|
Overview |
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Sailors Society Wellness at Sea
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Website and app providing resources and tools supporting companies and individuals with emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual and social wellbeing.
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| SeafarerHelp |
Free, confidential, multi-lingual 24-hour helpline for all seafarers and families provided by ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network). Helpline for any issue including low mood, non-payment of wages, bullying and harassment, issues with repatriation, general contractual disputes, and requests for information.
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| Seafarers Hospital Society |
[UK only] Website dedicated to meeting the health, welfare and advice needs of UK-based seafarers and their dependants including information on health and welfare grants, advice services, and health and fitness support. Offers free access for UK-based seafarers to togetherall (formely the Big White Wall)
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Seafarers' Advice and Information Line (SAIL)
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[UK only] National telephone advice service provided for UK-based seafarers and families. Provides free, confidential and impartial advice and information on a wide range of issues including welfare, benefits, housing, employment etc.
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| Sailors’ Society Crisis Response Network |
A rapid response trauma care and counselling service for survivors of piracy attacks, natural disasters and crises at sea. |
| Contact your union |
Where appropriate seafarers can also contact their unions, who also provide many aspects of support.
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| Mind |
Well-known mental health charity that provides resources and advice to empower anyone struggling with their mental health.
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| Togetherall |
Get support, take control & feel better. An online community of members, who support, help each other and share what’s troubling them in a safe, anonymous and stigma-free environment – monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians. This support network allows members to self-help through peer support, guided support programmes, resources and advice. Facility is also available for one to one online therapy with accredited counsellors and cognitive behavioural therapists. Based on where you’re located there may be a subscription cost (e.g. free access for various UK* and NZ locations). |
| Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) |
[UK Specific] A helpline (5pm–midnight, 365 days a year) for people, particularly men, who are down or have ‘hit a wall’ for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
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Organisation
|
Overview |
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Mission to Seafarers
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Global network providing support for concerns such as money worries, mental health issues and loneliness, as well as piracy, shipwreck and abandonment. Offers practical support at their seafarer centres when facilities are not otherwise. Also able to provide spiritual and emotional support onboard.
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Sailors’ Society
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Global network providing practical help and pastoral care to seafarers and families including welfare support, access to education and financial help through grants and support for families in need. Their free app, Wellness at sea, contains self-help resources for seafarers to stay physically and mentally fit.
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Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea (AoS))
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The largest ship-visiting charity in the world with a global network of over 1,000 chaplains and volunteers in 334 ports spread across 59 countries. Conducts around 70,000 ship visits a year to provide welfare services, advice, friendship, practical and pastoral care to all seafarers, regardless of nationality, belief or race. Provides "a friendly face in a foreign land, someone the seafarer can trust, speak to and confide in".
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The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI)
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[North America Specific] Mariners agency undertaking ship visits on the inland river waterways of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. They provide the facility to connect with home and services such as education, pastoral care and legal help. Seafarers’ centres are available in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
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For financial and legal advice (debt, benefits, housing, pensions etc.) in addition to those already highlighted in ‘General helplines and online support’:
Financial and legal guidance and support can also be sought via the services highlighted within ‘Practical, emotional and spiritual services’:
For online social networks to connect with your peers, read current industry news and updates or join discussion forums to have your say:
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Organisation
|
Overview |
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Crewtoo
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One of the world’s largest online networks of the seafaring community, with more than 112,000 members |
| Safety4Sea |
A maritime portal dedicated to providing updates with the aim to enhance maritime safety and promote sustainable shipping
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| gCaptain |
A maritime and offshore website dedicated to building an interactive community of maritime professionals with more than 600,000 unique viewers per month
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| Seafarers’ Links (The Silver Line) |
[UK only] Free, regular, group conversation telephone calls run by trained facilitators for seafarers, families or carers with seafaring connections. They offer an easy way to connect with people who have a maritime background, to make new friends, and to share stories and experiences of life at sea.
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Please note
Maritime Wellbeing is not a medical organisation and all content is provided on this website for information only. Maritime Wellbeing is not responsible for the content of external websites or resources. Maritime Wellbeing does not accept any liability for errors or omissions in any content provided on this website. Maritime Wellbeing does not accept liability whatsoever for any loss or damage directly or indirectly arising from the use or inability to use any of the information on this website. The content available on this website must not be used, reproduced, copied or distributed for commercial purposes.