![]() Seafarers, who spend many months away from home working in challenging conditions, may be more vulnerable to mental health issues than the wider population. The World Health Organization estimates that 264 million people are affected by depression globally and states that “The burden of mental disorders continues to grow with significant impacts on health and major social, human rights and economic consequences in all countries of the world.” 1. These are unprecedented circumstances, but what can we do to better protect seafarers who face extreme challenges even without a global crisis? Tragically we have also seen a number of suicides of crew stranded on cruise ships. It’s not surprising that organisations such as ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp have seen an increase in seafarers experiencing stress, depression and anxiety. Many are stranded far from home and in great need of financial support. The consequences of the pandemic have been especially devastating for seafarers who have experienced job losses and uncertainty about when they can leave their vessel and see family. ![]() It’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK and it seems particularly significant this year as COVID-19 continues to cause instability around the world. Caitlin Vaughan, Project Manager at ISWAN, shares her thoughts on the maritime industry’s approach to seafarers’ mental health and why it is so important that efforts continue to grow.
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