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Sunday Citadel Recap: Empowering Seafarers to Overcome Mental Health Challenges

Updated: Jul 16, 2024

The session on "Sailing Strong: Empowering Seafarers to Overcome Mental Health Challenges" was led by Psychologist Prerna Dua. The session began with participants gradually joining, creating an informal setting that allowed for open discussion about the significant mental health challenges faced by seafarers.

Remember, Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going!

Special Thanks to DMECA for sponsoring this Citadel Session, Become lifetime member of DMECA today!

Watch The Recap


Presentation Used


Key Points Discussed

  1. Mental Health Challenges for Seafarers:

  • Seafarers often face substantial mental health challenges, exacerbated by prolonged periods away from home and the stress of their responsibilities.

  • Many seafarers do not seek professional help, partly due to a perceived stigma and partly because of a culture of self-reliance within the industry.

  1. Experiences and Personal Stories:

  • Participants shared personal experiences, highlighting the mental strain of being away from family and the pressure of their roles.

  • Instances of severe mental health issues, including suicides among colleagues, were discussed, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these challenges.

  1. Role of Professional Help:

  • Prerna underscored the importance of seeking expert help, comparing it to seeking medical treatment for physical ailments.

  • She introduced herself as a psychologist with extensive experience working with sports personalities and maritime professionals.

  1. Proposed Solutions and Strategies:

  • Routine Mental Health Screening: Incorporating mental health assessments in employment and re-employment medical examinations.

  • Telemedical Services: Utilizing telemedical services like AP Company’s telemedical offerings to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists.

  • Regular Interaction: Implementing regular, mandatory mental health check-ins to build trust and encourage openness.

  • Meditation and Mindfulness: Promoting practices like meditation and mindfulness to help seafarers manage stress and anxiety.

  • Exercise and Physical Activity: Encouraging regular exercise to enhance mood and overall mental well-being.

  • Spiritual Practices: Suggesting spiritual practices and prayer as methods to boost mental health and resilience.

  1. Challenges in Implementation:

  • Participants highlighted the difficulty in implementing these strategies due to the nature of their work and existing cultural barriers.

  • The need for company-level mandates to enforce practices like regular meditation or mental health check-ins was discussed.

  1. Community and Support:

  • The importance of a supportive community was emphasized, with suggestions for creating groups where seafarers can share their experiences and support each other.

  • Future plans for regular meetups and courses to maintain mental health and provide ongoing support were mentioned.

The session concluded with participants expressing gratitude for the insights shared and a commitment to further explore ways to support seafarers' mental health. Prerna was thanked for her valuable contributions, and there were plans to continue these discussions and initiatives in the future.

Health does not always come from medicine. Most of the time it comes from peace of mind, peace in the heart, peace in the soul. It comes from laughter and love.


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