Navigating Wellbeing at Sea: Understanding & Coping with Stress

Forward Seamen’s’ Union of India (FSUI) in co-ordination with International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) organised a programme on Navigating the wellbeing at Sea: Understanding & Coping at The Acres Club, Mumbai on 14th October.

The speakers have highlighted the issues of Nature & Condition of Seafarers job made them vulnerable to mental health problems. It is not working away from their family for long time, not just long working hours. But it is also very limited access to mental health service, while they are onboard the Ships.

Globally, still there is lot of silence and taboo around mental health. In South Asia including India, we feel very uncomfortable talking about our mental health problems and look for service. The ITF and FSUI is challenging this taboo and stigma together around mental health.

The panel of discussion held in the evening also highlighted education and awareness on mental health for seafarers and their family. The seminar also suggested that the shipping companies to implement 24 X 7 psychological helpline for them. It also reiterated the need for working with all stakeholders like Government and Employers.

The seminar also expressed the need that the organisation like IMO, ILO may also make sure that all seafarers to get its help to eliminate their mental stress.

Earlier, the speakers like Mr Asif Altaf, from ITF London, Mrs Liza Hazarika, Psychologist also delivered their speeches with certain quotes from their own experience and with certain exercises of eliminating the mental stress.

Subsequently the panel of discussion was initiated by the DG Shipping, the Chief Guest Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS. During his inaugural speech, he was enumerating certain important steps taken by the Directorate of Shipping, particularly after he assumed office as the DG.

He further pointed out that the need of effective functioning of Port Welfare Committees for the well-being of mental health of seafarers would help the seafarers citing the example of Deendayal Upadhyaya Port at Kandla.

He also reiterated that his directorate has already started certain important actions to eliminate mental stress from among the young Indian seafarers by beginning important action programmes like INDOS corrections, getting earlier CDC entries, streamlining the role of RPSL Agents, modifying the methodology of conducting competitive examinations for upcoming seafarers and Petty officers and finally the existing problem “shore leave” etc.

His address was followed by the panel of discussion on Navigating the wellbeing at Sea: Understanding & Coping where Capt Gajanan Karanjikar moderated the session. Eminent personalities like Mr Asif Upadhyaya, Capt MP Bhasin, Capt Phillip Mathew, Capt Sheik Zoheb Jamil, Dr Sanjay Bhavnani and Mrs Aishwarya Pilankar participated. Around 100 participants attended the full day programme.

Mr Manoj Yadav, General Secretary, FSUI, presented a memento Mr Jagannathan. Mr Narendra Rao, Vice President, FSUI and Mr Susil Deurukar, Joint Secretary felicitated all the participants by honouring with mementos.

Marex Media