For many seafarers of all nationalities, life at sea is more than just a job — it is a way of life, a sacrifice, and a unique challenge. While their work keeps global trade afloat, the price they pay often remains hidden, both physically and emotionally. The job does take a toll on seafarers’ mental health, even for the most grizzled of them. 

It is more than just prolonged voyages away from home, more than just having to do without family and friends on whom one can share a burden. The long working hours, cultural differences among crew members, and the relentless routine also contribute to anxiety, depression, and burnout. 

According to a recent study by the Philippines’ National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), these stressors are compounded by the unpredictability of life at sea, where environmental factors such as harsh weather and dangerous working conditions add to the burden. 

NMP is a government maritime training and research center mandated to offer specialization and upgrading courses for merchant marine officers and ratings.  

More mental health issues 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, conditions worsened. Seafarers faced extended stays onboard due to travel restrictions, repatriation delays, and uncertain contract renewals. The result was a dramatic increase in mental health issues, as isolation became even more pronounced. 

NMP’s study, “Assessing the Mental Health and Well-being of Filipino Seafarers”, revealed that Filipino seafarers were more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and even schizophrenia during the pandemic. 

Data from 2018 to 2022 show a steady increase in mental health cases, with 189 Filipino seafarers diagnosed with mental disorders over five years. Anxiety (46 percent) and depression (39 percent) were the most prevalent conditions, affecting seafarers between 30 and 39 years old — the youngest and most vulnerable group. 

Marital and family conflicts were identified as leading causes, while work-related stress and adjustment challenges onboard further compounded their mental health struggles. 

Suicide at sea: A growing concern? 

The NMP study also claimed a concerning rise in suicide cases among Filipino seafarers, increasing from one case in 2018 to nine cases in 2022. 

Passenger vessels saw the highest proportion of seafarers diagnosed with mental health conditions, followed by dry cargo and tanker vessels.  

The NMP emphasized the urgent need for the Philippine maritime industry to strengthen mental health advocacy and develop appropriate programs to address the mental health concerns of Filipino seafarers. 

“Swift and decisive action is imperative to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for this essential workforce,” the NMP said.  

The role of pre-employment screening 

Psychiatrist Romel Papa, a consultant of the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup), is inclined to underscore the critical importance of pre-employment screening. 

According to Dr. Papa, not everyone is suited for life at sea. Seafarers are required to undergo rigorous psychological evaluations before being hired to screen out individuals with a history of mental illness, anxiety, or depression. 

“It’s all about pre-employment screening. Not everyone is cut out to be a seafarer. I always emphasize this in my lectures on Amosup’s mental health programs. Even I am not cut out to be a seafarer. So, the first step is pre-employment screening, where we filter out those with a family history of mental illness, previous psychiatric consultations, or existing anxiety and depression,” Dr. Papa told Maritime Fairtrade in a mix of English and Filipino. 

“Here’s a good example. We screened someone for admission to a maritime academy. During the pre-screening, we found that the psychological report showed signs of depression. Those are the ones we do not accept.

“Life at sea is very stressful. It’s not easy. We need to tighten pre-employment screening to ensure that only those who are mentally fit embark on this career.” 

However, Dr. Papa acknowledged that, given limited job opportunities in the Philippines, some applicants might hide their mental health history to secure employment. 

“Here in the Philippines, many seafarers have no other job options. This is a path they can pursue. Some end up forcing themselves into it, because they have no other work alternatives. As a result, they lie during pre-screening, hiding their family history of depression,” he said. 

Internet connectivity: A double-edged sword 

Many seafarers believe that Internet connectivity can become their lifeline while they are at sea because they can at least stay connected with family, friends, and the outside world. 

“Usually, seafarers ask, ‘Is there internet? How’s the connectivity?’ when they apply for jobs. Do you know why? It’s because they want to communicate with their families,” Dr. Papa explained. But he told seafarers in his lectures at Amosup, that that is not always the case.

“Sometimes, it’s not just loneliness that’s tied to family. Some work for only eight hours, and during their downtime, they can mentally escape the world of the sea. They can watch movies, and talk to friends. This is one factor that helps them cope.” 

However, Dr. Papa noted that while internet access helps alleviate loneliness and provides an escape from isolation at sea, it can also expose seafarers to family-related stress. Some seafarers experience additional pressure from home, including demands for money or the strain of learning about infidelity. 

“Internet connectivity is a factor when they accept contracts. Does family help? Yes and no. It helps because, of course, seafarers miss their spouses and children,” he said. 

“But sometimes, the dynamics of family life can be harmful. What does this mean? There are wives who press seafarers hard for money. Some cheat on their seafaring spouses. These factors are detrimental to seafarers’ mental health.”

To mitigate this, Dr. Papa said, some shipping companies have implemented family allotments, ensuring that a portion of the seafarer’s income goes directly to their family, leaving them with financial security. 

Beyond family connections, internet access also allows seafarers to engage in vlogging — a popular way for many to pass the time, share their experiences, and maintain a virtual presence at home. 

Recreational activities, including sports, are another critical outlet for stress relief, helping crew members bond and unwind during long voyages, according to Dr. Papa. 

“There are sports and other physical activities to help alleviate stress. But I’ll go back to the point: not everyone is cut out to be a seafarer. We need to examine where studies are done,” he said, referring to the NMP study.  

Dr. Papa raised concerns about the pre-employment screening process in response to a study showing a rise in mental health disorders among Filipino seafarers. 

“At Amosup, I’ve honestly only had to rebut one or two patients a year, not more than five. I see more family members than seafarers themselves,” he noted.  

Life on different vessels 

The type of vessel also plays a role in the mental health of seafarers. Commenting on the NMP study, which revealed that passenger vessels had the highest proportion of seafarers diagnosed with mental health conditions, Dr. Papa noted that those on cruise ships face different stressors than their counterparts on cargo vessels. 

“For those working on cruise liners, it’s more stressful because they have to deal with both co-workers and passengers. Unlike cargo ships, where the work is more focused,” he said. 

Dr. Papa added that while cruise ship workers may earn more due to tips, they also face higher mental health risks, making the balance between work and well-being more delicate. 

“It depends on the person and what they want. So again, we go back to pre-employment, where pre-screening is crucial,” he emphasized. 

The Filipino spirit of resilience 

Despite the challenges, Filipino seafarers remain some of the most resilient workers in the maritime industry. 

Dr. Papa emphasized that pre-employment screenings in the Philippines are among the most thorough in the world, helping to filter out those unfit for the seafaring job. This rigorous process, coupled with the Filipino’s innate adaptability and determination to provide for their families, helps them withstand the pressures of life at sea. 

“The Philippines is the biggest exporter of Filipino seafarers. As a Third World country, we need to keep our fellow Filipinos employed. And we, as Filipinos, are resilient. We endure because we need to support our families,” Dr. Papa said. 

“However, not everyone is suited to be a mariner or seafarer because the job is extremely difficult. If your emotional state is weak or if you have a history of mental illness, you won’t make it.”

Nonetheless, Dr. Papa said that the maritime industry must continue advocating for better mental health support for seafarers, ensuring that those embarking on this challenging career are both physically and mentally prepared. 

“We need to advocate for the rights of our colleagues in our unions, especially concerning conditions on board ships,” Dr. Papa said. “It’s a difficult life, and not everyone is cut out for it.” 

For the thousands of Filipino seafarers navigating the world’s oceans, mental health care and support remain as vital as the ships they sail. 

With continued efforts from organizations like Amosup and NMP, there is hope that more can be done to protect these essential workers, ensuring their journeys are as safe and fulfilling mentally as they are physically. 

Photo credit: Amosup. Dr. Romel Papa, consultant psychiatrist, Amosup.