IN a move to address the often-unseen mental toll of life at sea, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has launched Mind At Sea, a global mental health and suicide prevention campaign aimed at transforming how seafarers’ well-being is addressed across the maritime industry.
The initiative officially kicked off on Oct. 10 — coinciding with World Mental Health Day — in Sydney, Australia, carrying a simple yet vital message: “It’s ok not to be ok.” Running through early December across selected countries on every continent, the campaign aims to normalize conversations around mental health by embedding brief 10- to 15-minute informal check-ins into routine ship visits conducted by ITF inspectors and affiliated unions.
These discussions address core challenges seafarers face, including isolation, prolonged separation from family, fatigue, and severe workplace stress, while connecting crew members with welfare services, helplines, and the ITF Seafarers’ App.
The urgency of the initiative is underscored by data. A study by Yale University, funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, revealed that among 1,572 seafarers surveyed, 25 percent showed symptoms of depression, while 20 percent reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide over the preceding two weeks.
Beyond onboard support, the ITF is pushing for systemic policy reforms, treating mental health as a fundamental workplace safety issue. A central objective of the campaign is securing financial protection for grieving families by ensuring death compensation for suicide is mandatorily included in all collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) worldwide. This follows a landmark move in April 2025, when India’s Directorate General of Shipping committed to covering suicide under compensation provisions for all Indian-flagged vessels.
Built on four actionable pillars — Reflect, Recognize, Respond, and Reach Out — the ITF plans to run Mind At Sea as an annual campaign, working towards a future where mental health checks become a standard component of every ship inspection globally.
