Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), part of OneCare Group, 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 shine a spotlight on suicide prevention this month, MHSS says 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. The company has called for this training to become mandatory to help senior officers recognise possible signs of distress, feel confident starting conversations about mental health and understand when professional support should be sought.

“Senior officers are in an important position because they work closely with crew and may be among the first people to notice that somebody is struggling,” said Stella Kiss, Head of Clinical Operations at MHSS. “They do not need to become psychologists, but they should feel able to start a conversation, listen without judgement and know where to turn for professional support.”

Professional mental health services have an important supporting role to play. Companies like MHSS can help guide officers and crew through difficult situations, provide direct clinical support and help companies respond appropriately when concerns arise. This is particularly important because suicidal distress does not always look obvious. One of the biggest misconceptions is that suicidal thoughts among seafarers are rare, or that there is a recognisable way somebody experiencing them will behave.

Ms Kiss added: “There is no easily identifiable way that somebody experiencing suicidal thoughts will look. We shouldn’t, for example, wait for somebody to ‘look suicidal’ before taking their concerns seriously. What matters is making the time and space for direct conversations and responding without judgement.”

MHSS believes shipping companies can reduce risk by placing greater emphasis on early intervention rather than focusing solely on crisis response. This includes encouraging open conversations about mental health and suicide and developing mental-health first aiders who can provide another layer of support for colleagues. The company stresses, however, that suicide risk cannot be reduced to a checklist of behaviours and that individual conversation and professional assessment remain essential.

If a seafarer discloses suicidal thoughts, MHSS says they should be listened to calmly and taken seriously. They should not be dismissed, laughed off or told that others have experienced worse. Where there may be an immediate risk to life, the appropriate vessel procedures should be followed and the concern communicated to the captain.

“The response does not depend on finding the perfect words. The important thing is to listen, avoid judgement, involve the appropriate people and connect the individual with professional support. People need people they can talk to so when somebody asks for help, please take them seriously,” said Ms Kiss