Mental Health Disorder and Seafarers
The work environment for seafarers out at sea is extremely challenging and stressful. Adding to the pressures they face every day in their job, there are a large percentage of seafarers that are suffering from some form of mental disorder, caused by outside factors, genetics, or it can even be job related. In a global study from 2019, there are close to a billion people suffering from a mental disorder, anxiety and depression being the most common type. (World Health Organization, n.d.) Many people struggle with these conditions silently, fearing harassment or some type of reprimand, and for a small percentage, it can send them over the edge and cause more serious mental disorders. Mental health disorders affect many seafarers working on cruise ships, with factors that include high stress long periods alone out at sea, especially since they have to work far away from their families and loved ones for long periods. This in turn causes many to develop serious mental issues like depression and anxiety.
Sadly, anxiety disorders may go unnoticed by seafarers struggling with the condition. Anxiety can evolve into Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). People with GAD suffer from a type of anxiety that can last for long periods of time and may come about suddenly and for no apparent reason. Most of the time, the person knows that the anxiety may seem illogical, but they cannot help themselves. Even the smallest task can suddenly trigger an attack. (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.) Seafarers have a lot of weight on their shoulders, with many responsibilities they need to look over that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for them. Many try to alleviate the anxiety by smoking. For a few, their mental health slowly deteriorates, causing the anxiety to grow into more serious physical and mental health problems.
Seafarers suffering from long periods of GAD can feel it affect them physically, seeing symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, nervousness, or even feeling lightheaded and out of breath. Problems with concentration and even tiredness can be symptoms of GAD, which can heavily impact seafarers trying to do their daily jobs. Many more symptoms can come about for seafarers suffering from prolonged symptoms of GAD, which can cause serious psychological deterioration of their mental health. Depression is a factor that can create even more problems if left unattended.
Studies show that unmarried seafarers under the age of 30 are more likely to have mental health issues like depression. A large majority keep their issues to themselves and do not receive the treatment they may need if the depression is severe. (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, n.d.) Noticeable signs that can be seen from seafarers that are suffering from depression may not seem obvious at first. For instance, they may be slower than usual when speaking or trying to think, and similar to anxiety issues, may back pains or headaches. They may constantly be tired and have dramatic mood swings, all of which can seriously impair their ability to work. Severe depression is not something that should be ignored, for it can extremely impact a person’s well-being to such a level as to affect all aspects of their lives, including their work.
Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression can be serious conditions for seafarers struggling through their day to day lives. For those actively searching for help, there are several options and organizations they can communicate with. One of the principal ones being seafarerhelp.org, an organization with a dedicated 24-hour hotline any seafarer suffering from mental disorders can communicate with regarding their condition or other important matters for their benefit. Another organization named the Sailors’ Society also have a 24/7 help line for seafarers that need someone to listen to them, which they can reach via https://sailors-society.org/helpline. If seafarers visit the web page maritimewellbeing.com, they will find even more organizations that they can contact, https://www.maritimewellbeing.com/category.aspx?cat_id=1028#Helplines%20title . Help is out there for those suffering from mental health disorders.
References
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology. (n.d.). Tackling poor mental health at sea. Retrieved from Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology: https://www.imarest.org/resource/tackling-poor-mental-health-at-sea.html
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Generalized Anxiety Disorder: When Worry Gets Out of Control. Retrieved from NIH National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad#:~:text=What%20is%20generalized%20anxiety%20disorder,reason%20to%20worry%20about%20them.
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health - Impact. Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_2