Global marine services provider Oceanic, through its SeaMed24 Medical Solutions, will offer VIKAND’s mental health training programs as an integrated part of its overall services approach to its maritime customers.

The two training modules aim to increase officers’ knowledge and understanding of mental health issues at sea, including how to recognize relevant signs and symptoms and how to provide initial support to colleagues in need.

The training programs have been designed to help officers recognize various factors that can contribute to suicide and self-harm at sea and how to approach and communicate with a colleague who may be at risk.

The modules have been developed as part of VIKAND’s OneHealth structured learning programs that satisfy key industry guidelines such as RightShip’s Inspection Ship Questionnaire (RISQ) 3.0.

“Incorporating VIKAND’s mental health modules into our overall services is important as it complements our approach to offering our client base of over 2,300 vessels comprehensive support for seafarers in all aspects of their lives.” said Kyriakos Hadjikyriakou, Managing Director, Oceanic.

“Our collaboration with VIKAND, is a testament to our dedication to prioritizing the wellbeing of the crew and our commitment to the holistic welfare of crew members, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary to maintain their mental health while at sea.

“The team at VIKAND has demonstrated that they fully appreciate the unique mental stresses of living and working onboard with most of their staff having experienced it first-hand.  This is one of the main reasons we chose to partner with them.”

“In our proactive healthcare approach ‘prevention and early intervention’ is key. This is why it is so important to empower officers with the skills and knowledge to recognize and respond to looming mental health crises”, said Ronald Spithout, Managing Director of OneHealth by VIKAND.

“We also felt it was important to create a programme that would reduce the stigma surrounding mental health wellness issue and address the very delicate subjects of suicide and self-harm, so that more incidents can be avoided”

VIKAND and Oceanic’ s broader mission is to support the long-term health of the maritime industry through programmes and services that enhance seafarer safety, welfare, resilience and happiness.