The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Mental health has long been stigmatised, with people suffering from mental health issues being cast aside, labelled lazy, or suffering other abuses. Mental health awareness only truly started to be taken seriously in 2003, when the International Association for Suicide Prevention established World Suicide Prevention Day in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 10th of September each year focuses attention on the issue, helping to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and highlight the fact that suicide can be prevented.

In this blog, learn all about the challenges facing mental health at sea, the importance of mental health awareness and how you can access the online maritime training designed to help with mental health training to make time away at sea a space where everyone feels welcome and how to aid those struggling. 

Mental Health at Sea

It comes as no surprise that an occupation in the maritime industry can be highly challenging, with several significant factors contributing to poor mental health at sea. It’s an industry built around long working hours and long periods away from home. Add in the potential for other factors, such as isolation, fatigue, precarious work contracts, poor crew relations, and financial instability, and you have the formula for the perfect mental health storm.

The maritime industry is generally perceived to be a ‘man up’ environment where mental health issues are not widely discussed, understood, or acknowledged. Given the unique culture and working environment, it’s not surprising that mental health and suicide are serious issues within certain maritime occupations.

Mental health issues can particularly affect lone workers, who won’t have any on-site support should they be struggling and need someone to talk to. Undertaking awareness of mental health training means protecting lone workers and the mental health of workers at sea. 

Getting The Right Support

Mental health support varies widely depending upon the employer and whether mental health awareness is high on the agenda. Unfortunately, mental health issues are poorly understood across the industry and still carry a stigma that has yet to be entirely erased.

However, the outlook isn’t completely bleak, as some inroads have already been made into providing mental health support, mainly by larger shipping companies, cruise lines, unions, and charities. Organisations such as Maritime UK are addressing and raising awareness of mental health issues within the maritime sector.

Poor Understanding of Mental Health Issues

The maritime industry is still a predominantly male environment, with a ‘man up’ culture and a reluctance (or fear) to talk openly about mental health. Accepting that you are struggling mentally is still seen as a sign of weakness, especially in some of the ‘tougher’ maritime industries like fishing.

There’s also a reluctance to open up for fear of not being allowed on board or, worse, losing a job. At present, the issue is not well understood across the industry, with some seafarers lacking even a basic knowledge of mental well-being. 

How Does Mental Health First Aid Training Help?

It is not exaggerating to say that undertaking mental health first aid training develops a skill that saves lives; it helps to prevent mental health issues from worsening, provides comfort to those in distress, and promotes recovery. With mental health at sea still being stigmatised, undergoing mental health training offers an outlet for people struggling to come to you for support, be it in private or openly. 

Often (as with many maritime workers), the person who is mentally ill is unable to ask for or even recognise that they need help. A fully trained mental health first aider is likelier to spot the signs, ask the right questions, and have the knowledge, confidence, and ability to assist.

How Can VIRSEC Help?

In collaboration with a certified mental health professional, VIRSEC has developed two entirely online Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health courses:

Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health Level 1

Our Level 1 Awareness  of First Aid for Mental Health course is targeted at people in an organisation who may not have a supervisory position but still have a duty of care towards themselves and their work colleagues. This course aims to foster a supportive environment at sea to ensure that people know the signs and can look out for each other. 

Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health Level 2

The Level 2 Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health course is aimed at supervisors or team leaders in an organisation who have responsibilities and a duty of care over the general health and well-being of colleagues. This course teaches crew supervisors the signs of someone struggling and how they can offer support and foster a positive working environment. 

Both courses aim to provide the learner with a deeper understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect people’s well-being, including your own. It teaches practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues and gives you the confidence to step in, reassure, and support a person in distress and guide them to appropriate support. 

By the end of the courses, you should know:

• What mental health is.
• Why people develop mental health conditions and the role of a first aider.
• How to identify problems and risk factors early.
• How to provide advice and practical support for a person presenting with a mental health condition.
• How to recognise and manage stress.
• How to recognise a range of mental health conditions.

Both courses are 100% online and are accredited by the CPD Accreditation Group.

Book Your Mental Health Awareness Course at VIRSEC

Mental health problems are often covered up through fear of discrimination, and a culture of fear and silence can make things very much worse and be highly costly for employers. When you book a maritime training course, you take that first step into fostering a mentally positive work environment for everyone. 

If you have any questions about our mental health awareness courses or any of the courses we provide here at VIRSEC, do not hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help.