Filipino seafarers get mental health support

TACLOBAN CITY — Life at sea can be tough, and for Filipino seafarers, the emotional and psychological toll of months away from home is often overlooked. Now, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) is taking a bold step to change that.

NMP executive director Victor del Rosario recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) Philippines to strengthen mental health support for Filipino seafarers worldwide.

Through this partnership, NMP will help promote ISWAN’s helpline across its platforms, making it easier for seafarers to access professional support and resources wherever they are.

“The men and women who sail our oceans carry the hopes, dreams and welfare of countless families and communities back home,” Del Rosario said. “We need to ensure that while they are building careers and supporting families, their mental health and well-being are not neglected.”

The initiative stems from a 2023 NMP study that examined the mental health of Filipino seafarers. The findings were eye-opening: hundreds were diagnosed with conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, while cases of suicide were reportedly rising — a stark reminder that life at sea, though rewarding, comes with unique emotional and psychological challenges.

Del Rosario emphasized that NMP is committed not just to producing skilled maritime professionals, but also to ensuring their holistic welfare through research, evidence-based programs, and policy recommendations.

One key program already making waves is the Mental Health Awareness for Seafarers (MHAS) course, launched last year and now offered nationwide. It equips seafarers with practical skills to identify, manage, and seek support for mental health challenges, fostering resilience and well-being onboard.

To complement the new partnership with ISWAN, NMP will also utilize its Philippine Maritime Workforce Factbook, consolidating data and statistics that will help policymakers, shipping companies, and maritime institutions make informed, evidence-based decisions to support Filipino seafarers.