The short version
- In a survey of 583 seafarers on 33 cargo ships, officers reported lower well-being than ratings (60.1% vs 70.0% on the WHO-5 index) and sat more (3.5 vs 2.4 hours a day)[1].
- The ILO’s death register recorded 26 seafarer suicides in 2024 and 26 in 2023, and only 59% of reporting countries supplied suicide data[4][5].
- A 2026 study found low use of the mental health services that already exist, and a gap between what crews need and what employers put in place[2].
- More than 60% of seafarers wanted health promotion on board, preferring digital formats[1]. The demand is there; the plan usually is not.
What the newest data says about crew mental health
Three recent studies look at the problem from different sides: a large survey of working crews, a supply and demand study, and interviews with seafarers in Canadian waters.
| Study | Who | Key finding |
|---|---|---|
| Reck et al., 2025[1] | 583 seafarers, 33 ships, 94.6% response | Officers’ well-being lower than ratings’; no rank difference in depressive symptoms |
| Bartuseviciene and Yasmin, 2026[2] | 48 seafarers, 44 employers, 14 service providers | 77% of surveyed seafarers reported at least one problem such as sleep disorders, anxiety or loneliness; services under-used |
| Rojas Aldieri et al., 2026[3] | 11 seafarers, 2 key informants | Shore leave denial, poor connectivity, harassment and weak coordination blocked support |
The second study is small and its sample leans heavily toward Asian seafarers, which its authors flag as a limit[2]. Read its 77% as a warning sign, not a global rate.
Officers and ratings are not the same problem
| Measure[1] | Officers | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Well-being (WHO-5) | 60.1% | 70.0% |
| Physical activity (MET-min/week) | 8,035 | 10,437 |
| Sitting time (hours/day) | 3.5 | 2.4 |
| Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) | No significant difference between ranks | |
All three differences in well-being, activity and sitting were statistically significant[1]. The authors note seafarers’ well-being was impaired compared with shore-based reference groups[1]. For a fleet, that points to two separate actions: workload and sitting time for officers, and access and connection for everyone.
Why help goes unused
Having a helpline is not the same as having support that crews use. The 2026 supply and demand study found marked misalignment between seafarers, employers and providers on what psychological safety means, low use of available services, and an imbalance between demand and what employers took up[2].
The Canadian interviews name the practical blocks[3]:
- No shore leave and hard repatriation made existing stress worse[3].
- Poor onboard connectivity cut crews off from family and support[3].
- Workplace harassment was reported[3].
- Weak coordination among authorities, employers and welfare groups left gaps[3].
The same study saw port welfare centres, ship inspectors and joint efforts reduce psychosocial risk, and suggests adapting Mental Health First Aid to ships[3].
What crews say they want, and what exists
The 583-seafarer survey asked about health measures directly. More than 56% were interested in sports on board and more than 60% in health promotion, with a preference for digital formats and money incentives for taking part[1].
| Question | Answer from the research |
|---|---|
| Do crews want health programs? | Yes: over 60% interested in health promotion[1] |
| In what format? | Digital, with incentives[1] |
| How strong is the evidence for digital programs at sea? | Thin: 9 studies from 1,711 sources, all on cargo ships, one randomized trial[6] |
| Who should lead? | Shipping companies, by empowering their crews[6] |
The gap is not crew interest. It is that few operators have turned that interest into a structured program, and the research base is still small[6]. That makes a simple, measured program a real advantage for a fleet that recruits and keeps good crews.
The hard number: suicide at sea
The ILO’s register of seafarer deaths counted 26 suicides in 2024 and 26 in 2023, 6.5% of reported deaths in 2023[4][5]. Only 59% of reporting countries supplied suicide data, so the count is likely low[4]. The full breakdown of causes is in what kills seafarers.
Treat it as a medical emergency
A crew member who talks about suicide or self-harm needs the same urgency as a serious injury: someone stays with them, the master gets medical advice at once, and evacuation is considered. Write that step into the plan before it is needed; see when to medevac a seafarer.
A six-part crew mental health plan
| Part | Why, from the data |
|---|---|
| 1. Named people trained in Mental Health First Aid | Suggested for maritime use in the 2026 Canadian study[3] |
| 2. A confidential route to help, and crews told how to use it | Existing services are under-used[2] |
| 3. Connectivity and shore leave protected | Both were named barriers[3] |
| 4. Activity and sitting time for officers | Officers sit more and move less[1] |
| 5. Digital health promotion | Over 60% interested, with a preference for digital formats[1] |
| 6. A written escalation step for crisis | Suicide remains a recorded cause of death[4] |
A 2026 review found few studies of digital health programs at sea and recommends that shipping companies take responsibility for promoting crew health on board[6]. For how MLC rules on medical care changed, see the MLC 2024 amendments.
Discovery Health MD builds the medical side of this plan for fleets: a physician-written crisis and escalation protocol through maritime medical consulting, the medicine chest the medical officer works from through ship medical chest management, and lawful controlled medicines through controlled substances management. Ask us to review your crew welfare plan.
Common questions
How common are mental health problems among seafarers?
In one 2026 study, 77% of surveyed seafarers reported at least one problem such as sleep disorders, anxiety or loneliness, though the sample was small[2]. A 583-person survey found seafarers’ well-being impaired compared with shore groups[1].
Do officers or ratings have worse well-being?
Officers: 60.1% vs 70.0% on the WHO-5 well-being index. Depressive symptoms did not differ significantly by rank[1].
How many seafarers die by suicide each year?
The ILO register recorded 26 in 2024 and 26 in 2023, with only 59% of countries reporting suicide data[4][5].
Why don’t seafarers use mental health services?
Studies point to misaligned views between crews and employers, poor connectivity and limited shore leave[2][3].
What is Mental Health First Aid at sea?
Training crew members to recognize and respond to mental health problems; a 2026 study suggests adapting it to maritime settings[3].
Do seafarers want health programs on board?
Yes: more than 56% were interested in sports on board and more than 60% in health promotion, preferring digital formats and incentives[1].
What should a ship do if a crew member is suicidal?
Treat it as a medical emergency: stay with the person, get medical advice and plan for evacuation. See death on board: the US procedure for the reporting duties that follow the worst outcome.
