Steps to Positive Mental Health

Steps to Positive Mental Health

Good Mental Health Guide for Seafarers

There are several factors that can impact seafarers' mental health; such as job stress, family pressures, limited shore leave and more. Being away at sea can also make it difficult to access support.

However, help is out there! This self-help guide details some skills, exercises and coping strategies to help you deal with your emotions when life becomes stressful or your mood is low.

Contents

BACES: Steps to positive mental health............................................ 4-6 Facts vs opinions............................................ 7 The helicopter view ? worksheet.......... 8-9 Positive coping statements...................... 10 Mindfulness............................................ 11-13 Talk through your problem with SeafarerHelp...................... 14

This guide has been developed from materials accessible from getselfhelp.co.uk under the supervision of Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Pennie Blackburn.

ISWAN is an international charity which is dedicated to the relief of hardship or distress amongst seafarers of all nationalities, races, colour and creeds irrespective of gender.



We run the free 24 hour multilingual helpline ? SeafarerHelp ? which aims to assist seafarers and their families whatever the problem, wherever they are in the world.

4 Steps to positive mental health

STEPS TO POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

Body Achieve Connect Enjoy Step back

B O D Y : S E L F C A R E dy: Self care

Taking good care of our physical body means we will be better able to cope with emotional problems.

Take steps to ensure you get as much sleep as you need

Eat healthily and regularly

Exercise regularly, preferably in an outside/natural space

Plan how to make best use of rest times

Beware of how things like drink, drugs, smoking and caffeine affect you

SeafarerHelp: The lifeline for seafarers

Free, confidential, multilingual and available 24/7, 365 days a year



Steps to positive mental health 5

ACHIEVE

Our brain gets a boost when we achieve things during the day. Achievement increases the neurotransmitter dopamine and purposeful activity increases serotonin.

It is helpful to plan realistic and achievable goals every day, such as those concerning work, chores and study, but we can also set goals and achieve activities relating to connecting to others, enjoyment and exercise.

CONNECT

As our mood drops, we feel more tired and we tend to do less. We start to stay alone more, withdrawing and isolating ourselves. The unique conditions on board a ship can make isolation more likely.

You may have limited opportunities to communicate with friends and family back home but it's important to keep connected to loved ones when you can.

Different shift patterns and other reasons may make it difficult to connect with other crew on board, but making an effort to socialise could help.

Are there opportunities on board to get involved in a film or games night? If not, why not plan a range of regular activities to enjoy with crew mates such as: deck BBQs, game evenings, team sports, movie nights and karaoke contests.

Photo by: Fernando O. Esmeralda

Photo by: Capt.Tonci Gvozdanovic

SeafarerHelp: The lifeline for seafarers

Free, confidential, multilingual and available 24/7, 365 days a year



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