Mental health

Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS) is calling on shipping companies to prioritise mental health and suicide prevention training for senior officers to help them recognise signs of a seafarer in crisis. As industries globally shone a spotlight on suicide prevention in September, MHSS said that in maritime particular attention should be given to the four most senior officers onboard, typically the master, chief officer, chief engineer and second engineer, as well as others who have responsibility for crew, but who may lack the practical skills to recognise early warning signs or initiate non-judgmental intervention. The company has called for this training to become mandatory to help senior officers feel confident starting conversations about mental health and understand when professional support should be sought.