When the Storm is Inside You: the Problem that is not Talked About - Suicidal Tendencies at Sea.
05.03.2025
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The profession of a seafarer is one of the most stressful with high isolation and hard working conditions. This set of factors combined with the personal experiences of a particular person can lead to increased levels of stress, depression and as a result suicidal risks.
The Mental Health of Seafarers study (2012) found that more than 13% of seafarer deaths initially classified as deaths from illness were actually suicides.
What brings a person to a point that subsequently becomes a "dry number in the study"?
1. Social isolation.
Separation from loved ones and family. A long stay in a closed space with a small group of people, often of different cultures and social levels, leads to the experience of loneliness, rejection and can provoke depression.
2. Physical and emotional fatigue.
Long shifts, lack of normal sleep and exhausting workloads can lead to emotional exhaustion.
3. Psychological pressure.
Strict discipline and subordination, strict hierarchy, forced suppression of emotions (the inability to say everything to someone's face without consequences) - all this can increase stress.
4. Lack of access to psychological help.
On board the role of a psychologist can at best be performed by a colleague who may also experience similar emotions, and therefore will not be effective. And seeking professional support is either impossible or considered as a weakness.
5. Problems with alcohol and addictions.
People also try to "drink away" or "drown" stress. They start abusing alcohol or substances which gives the illusion of relief, but in the long run only worsens the mental state and can lead to severe sanctions including loss of employment.
HOW TO KNOW THAT YOU OR YOUR CO-WORKERS ARE IN A RISK GROUP?
Suicidal thoughts do not arise suddenly. They are preceded by certain changes in behavior.
What we pay attention to in ourselves:
- A feeling of hopelessness is a feeling that nothing will change and there is no point in continuing.
- Loss of interest means everything that used to bring joy (work, friends, hobbies) no longer brings pleasure.
- Constant fatigue does not go away even after rest, accompanied by an unwillingness to get out of bed.
- A feeling of uselessness means the conviction that no one will notice if you are gone.
- Thinking about death, writing farewell letters, planning how to leave this life.
- Feelings of intense guilt or shame is a sense that you have let yourself or others down and there is no forgiveness for it.
- Sharp mood swings from indifference to sudden agitation or irritability.
- Feeling like you have become a burden to others, thoughts that others would be better without you.
- Unusual apathetic calm and detachment after a period of severe stress.
- Fascination with death themes, reading books, watching films about suicide, searching for information on the Internet.
What we pay attention to in others:
All of the above, plus:
- Dramatic changes in behavior - a person becomes either too quiet or aggressive, behaves as if "he has become different."
- Conversations about death, phrases like "I would just disappear" or "Everyone would be better without me."
- Isolation from the crew, avoiding communication, withdrawing into oneself, lack of interest in common activities.
- Giving away things meaning giving away or selling personal items for no apparent reason.
- Increasing alcohol or drug use is a way to suppress emotions, which can lead to impulsive withdrawal from life.
What to do if you have suicidal thoughts?
- Seek help is to talk to someone from the crew or an officer, find an opportunity to consult a psychologist, including online.
- Avoid isolation. Do not stay alone for a long time. Communication is the first aid in processing stress. Remember, words heal.
- Eliminate alcohol and drugs as they intensify such conditions and twist your emotions to the maximum.
- As trite as it may sound, the phrase "This too shall pass" can become a mainstay. Life is not limited to one or several moments. It is a palette of very different elements. There is no law that would dictate that we always and in everything cope on our own. It is normal to be the one who needs help.
What to do if a colleague has alarming signs?
- Give him a chance to speak out. You will not be required to convince, but to give space for the other person to post their experiences - this is 50% of success.
- Do not judge. Do not say: "Pull yourself together" or "This is weakness." It is better to say: "I see that you are not feeling well, I am here if you need it," etc.
- Notify an officer or doctor. This can save a life, even if it seems like nothing serious.
- Stay close. Do not leave the person alone in a crisis.
Conclusion
Suicide is a serious problem caused by stress, isolation and lack of access to help. It is important to remember that it is NOT a WILLINGNESS TO LIVE, but a WILLINGNESS TO LIVE THE WAY A PERSON LIVES AT THE CURRENT MOMENT.
Author of the article: psychologist Natalia Telipko
