ISWAN reported that the number of calls to yacht crew help increased by a significant 58% quarter-on-quarter, with women being particularly affected.
Across the helplines operated by the International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN), there has been a significant increase in the number of calls related to mental health issues. The latest findings, spanning the final quarter of 2023, highlight the challenges this surge poses in maintaining health at sea, particularly when it comes to abuse and personal life stressors, with female seafarers being disproportionately affected. I’m guessing.
“The fact that mental health calls to ISWAN’s helpline reached an all-time high in the fourth quarter shows that even though COVID-19 has passed, life remains extremely difficult for many seafarers. “This is a strong indication,” said Simon Grainge, chief executive of ISWAN. . “There is now a greater understanding across the maritime sector of the specific challenges of maintaining mental health at sea.”
ISWAN reported a 44% increase in contacts (calls or messages) related to mental health issues compared to the previous quarter. From October to December 2023, ISWAN received 128 calls regarding psychological issues, a notable increase from 89 calls in the previous quarter.
This jump represents the highest quarterly total since the current helpline reporting system was established in 2019. ISWAN’s free and confidential helplines for seafarers, SeafarerHelp and Yacht Crew Help, recorded the highest number of calls related to mental health in a quarter, up 46%. 58% each.
Issues such as abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence were closely linked to mental health problems. Approximately 13% of seafarers who contacted ISWAN’s helpline with mental health concerns between October and December 2023 reported experiencing some form of abuse at sea, including sexual harassment, physical abuse, and discrimination based on nationality. did. Some seafarers also say that working in highly stressful conditions that exceed working time regulations contributes to their mental health problems, with 11% of respondents saying fatigue was a key factor. ing.
While working conditions play a vital role in the mental health concerns of many seafarers who contact ISWAN’s helpline, around 11% cite issues in their personal lives that impact on their mental health. Seafarers asked ISWAN for assistance in dealing with challenges such as strained relationships due to long periods of separation.
Data from ISWAN’s helpline consistently highlights the disproportionate impact mental health issues have on female seafarers. In the fourth quarter, when the gender identity of seafarers was known, 24% of those who contacted ISWAN’s helpline regarding mental health concerns were women and 75% were men.
Overall, during the quarter, 9% of helpline users identified as women and 89% as men. ISWAN helpline data also suggests that women are more likely to experience abuse at sea than men, contributing to higher rates of mental health problems among female seafarers.
“We are also seeing very encouraging progress in developing a leadership culture that more effectively supports seafarer well-being,” Grainge added. “However, ISWAN’s helpline data shows that we still have a long way to go when it comes to ensuring all seafarers have a safe and respectful working environment that protects their health and well-being.”
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