Mental Health Support Solutions expands support for Filipino seafarers with digital communication hygiene programme for families

As shipping operations become increasingly connected, Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), part of OneCare Group, is addressing an unexpected outcome of maritime life – the psychological strain of constant communication. While enhanced internet access has been a boon for crew welfare, enabling regular contact with loved ones, MHSS psychologists warn that this connectivity can also introduce new stressors for families.

To tackle this issue, MHSS has launched digital communication hygiene workshops tailored for Filipino seafarers and their families, aiming to foster healthier communication patterns that bolster relationships and alleviate onboard stress during extended voyages. These workshops will soon extend to other nations as well. They focus on teaching families how to manage communication, distinguish between urgent matters needing immediate discussion and those that can be postponed, and grasp the consequences of sharing unresolved problems while at sea, which might exacerbate anxiety for seafarers tasked with safety-critical duties.

Karen Ibanez, a Clinical Psychologist at MHSS in the Philippines, highlights that today's challenge for seafarers is not a shortage of communication but rather the knowledge of how to communicate to support mental health. While shipping has significantly improved connectivity at sea over the past decade, leading to more regular contact with families, unintended consequences have emerged.

Many seafarers receive messages about financial strain, family disputes, household issues, or personal concerns while away from home, often wanting to help but finding themselves powerless to do so. Consequently, they bear the emotional weight while still managing demanding operational tasks. The workshops do not advocate for less communication but aim to enhance the quality of conversations, deeming the quality of dialogue more critical than its volume.

This initiative underscores the vital role families play in Filipino culture, where seafarers often view themselves as primary providers for their extended family. Consequently, family-related stress can quickly translate into onboard anxiety. Mariana Charalambous, MHSS Managing Director, emphasizes that the maritime industry must continue adapting its approach to crew wellbeing, particularly in outreach efforts that involve crew families.

"While investing in connectivity has been essential, connectivity alone is insufficient. As communication becomes more constant, the industry must also assist seafarers and their families in utilizing this connectivity to safeguard mental health and avoid unintentionally increasing pressures at sea. 'Mental wellbeing is no longer solely affected by what occurs onboard.

Families ashore now exert a growing influence, making it imperative to support seafarers and the loved ones awaiting them back home.' As shipping continues to embrace digital advancements, MHSS anticipates that the discourse surrounding crew wellbeing must keep pace with these developments. While providing internet access has revolutionized life onboard, ensuring these connections genuinely enhance resilience rather than induce new stressors may represent the next crucial aspect of maritime mental health.