Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), which is part of the OneCare group, has urged shipping companies to pay more attention to mental health training and suicide prevention for senior officers. This request comes as industries worldwide focus on suicide prevention in September.
The Necessity of Attention to Senior Officers
According to MHSS, the four senior officers on ships include the captain, chief officer, chief engineer, and second engineer, who should receive training in this area. This training should be mandatory so that these officers can identify signs of crisis and discuss mental health with the crew.
Stella Case, Chief Clinical Operations of MHSS, stated: "Senior officers are in a sensitive position because they work closely with the crew and may be among the first to notice individual problems." She noted that these officers do not need to become psychologists, but they should feel comfortable enough to initiate conversations on this topic.
The Role of Professional Mental Health Services
Professional mental health services play an important role in this area, and companies like MHSS can guide officers and crew in difficult situations. These services include providing direct clinical support and assisting companies in addressing concerns. Stella Case added: "We should not wait for someone to clearly 'appear' to have mental health issues. Instead, we should create a space for direct conversations and respond to these issues without judgment."
MHSS believes that shipping companies can reduce the risk of suicide by emphasizing early interventions. This includes encouraging open discussions about mental health and suicide and creating individuals for mental health first aid who can provide additional support for colleagues.
In the event that a seafarer discloses suicidal thoughts, MHSS emphasizes that they should be listened to calmly and the matter should be taken seriously. It is important to avoid discouraging or ignoring these concerns, and if there is an immediate life-threatening risk, appropriate ship procedures should be followed.
Stella Case further stated: "Responding to this issue does not depend on finding the right words. What matters is that we listen to the individual, avoid judgment, and involve the right people to connect the individual to professional support. People need someone to talk to, so when someone asks for help, please take it seriously."
