Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the Mental Health Foundation is encouraging people to look at mental health from a new angle. In the UK, mental health has been getting the royal treatment, with their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry speaking out; so we thought it only right that seafarers get a bit of attention too!
Seafarers are known to be more likely to suffer from mental health problems than their shore-based colleagues. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone as the demands of modern shipping mean longer periods away from home with little shore leave.
So, this Mental Health Awareness week we want to challenge seafarers to take this five step challenge to better mental health:
1. Communicate and be more open. If you are struggling, let someone know!
2. Healthy body, healthy mind – try to take at least 15 minutes of exercise a day e.g. circuits.
3. Take some time to yourself – take some time for yourself each day to wind down.
4. Focus on the positive – be thankful for at least one thing everyday
5. Avoid social isolation; connect with your fellow crewmembers! Speak to someone you haven’t necessarily got to know yet and learn a new fact about them.
Further information and resources:
- Crew Medical’s Mental Health resources
- The Human Rights at Sea post-traumatic stress leaflet
- The Sailors’ Society Wellness at Sea programme
Tags
You may also be interested in:
Mental Health Awareness Week
14/05/2018
Research has shown that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, and stress is a key factor in this. Monday 14th May marks the start of 'Mental Health Awareness' Week, which this year is focusing on stress and how to manage it in order to improve our mental health.
Wellness at Sea
14/05/2018
Mental health is an ongoing issue in all walks of life, but in our business we are additionally exposed through the claims we see.
Technology – friend or foe?
22/06/2017
As the years have progressed, so has technology. In the not so distant past, computers were a thing of luxury however they now deemed more of a necessity. We are becoming increasingly reliant on this assistance but should it be considered a friend or foe?
Can relaxation help you?
09/11/2018
Crew Health Director Sophia Bullard, introduces the new initiative from the Club in tackling mental health amongst Seafarers,