Today is World Mental Health Day. Take a moment for yourself and breathe.
We are in the year 2023, yet mental health difficulties are still stigmatized, or even un-identified. And relative discussions are often avoided.
Katherine Ponte shares in her article:
“You will likely experience a mental health challenge at some point in your life.”
It is imperative that we all understand that mental health hardships are present, and they are present more often than we think. And it is also imperative that all companies understand that this is a topic that surpasses the level of individuals.
The maritime industry has a two-front challenge regarding this matter, office employees and crews on board.
Everyone, as employees, we try to keep a balance between our personal and professional lives. Seafarers at sea have various stressors, with exposure to real dangers, distancing themselves from families and friends, physical fatigue, and even communication obstacles, being only a few of them. In the office, many face stressors related to deadlines, toxic environments, or excessive work hours. All employers have a duty of care and should demonstrate a commitment to making their people’s well-being a top priority.
All stakeholders in the maritime industry should be conscious of the existence of emotional challenges and work our way towards understanding that “it is okay not to be okay” and creating a safer and more collective environment. It is a complicated and demanding path; however, it is not an impossible path, and it is definitely not beyond our means.
At Margetis Maritime, we can help you identify the related risks and build the appropriate culture and policies to safeguard your people’s well-being, through our ESG and Quality Management services.
