Maritime Mental Health Awareness (Modules 1 & 2) - 25 & 26 January 2022

*Please note: The cost of this course is £200 plus Eventbrite fees (£16.19)*

Held online across two half-days, this live, interactive course provides an introduction to mental health awareness for management-level personnel on shore and on board vessels.

Developed using ISWAN’s extensive experience of supporting seafarers and feedback from previous courses, this course will help participants to recognise early signs of crew who may be struggling, develop the skills needed to respond effectively, and gain an understanding of how to access appropriate support.

Aims

Through a mix of discussions, presentations, and practical activities, this course aims to:

• Raise awareness of mental health and the impact of stigma
• Increase understanding of common mental health problems and their causes
• Understand how mental health might be affected by working at sea
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
• Build skills and confidence in knowing when to act and how to provide initial support to those at sea
• Support cohesive team relationships for crew wellbeing

Why is our training different?

This training is designed specifically to build awareness of mental health in a maritime environment. It adapts best practice for mental health awareness, early recognition, and initial responses for senior officers and shoreside staff.

Offered by ISWAN, this training is designed by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Pennie Blackburn, author of the ISWAN Good Mental Health Guides. Grounded in evidence and best practice in the field of mental health, this course draws on the extensive experience of ISWAN and SeafarerHelp around the issues affecting seafarers and the challenges of supporting people at sea.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for management-level personnel on shore and on board vessels, including those who carry a mental health officer responsibility. It is suitable for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of mental health at sea and carries responsibility for crew.

What is covered?

25 January, 09:00-13:30 GMT - Module 1: Introduction to Mental Health

Module 1 provides an introduction to mental health, an overview of types of mental health problems, mental health at sea, and understanding the causes of mental health problems - as well as tackling stigma and promoting crew cohesion. This module is required prior to Module 2.

26 January, 09:00-13:30 GMT - Module 2: Recognising Signs and First Response

Module 2 builds on Module 1’s introduction to mental health awareness. Participants develop their capacity to recognise signs and symptoms of crew members who may be struggling with their mental health. It offers an overview of Psychological First Aid (PFA), including the role officers can play (and their limitations). Through small group practice, participants are taught essential skills to provide a timely first response to those who are in need of support.

We are also now offering an additional module for those who have completed Modules 1 and 2. Module 3: Suicide Prevention can be booked separately here.

Cost

The course costs £200 per participant (plus Eventbrite fees) and includes a detailed Participant’s Manual and Certificate of Attendance. ISWAN members can book onto the course at a discounted rate of £175.

All profits from this training will go directly towards the operating costs of ISWAN’s charitable services. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our 24-hour helplines SeafarerHelp and Yacht Crew Help and our teams in India, the Philippines and Nigeria have experienced an unprecedented increase in demand for their services from seafarers and their families in need.

Testimonials

‘…the course was a great help to [me and my business partner]. It was well organised, pitched at the right level and I could see it would be very helpful to those on board’ – Nicola Morgan, Director, wilsonhalligan

‘It really was great training! I also heard many good comments and was happy to see all were engaged and passionate about it. Dr Pennie is GREAT!’ – Tatjana Espinel, VP Crew Operations, CMI Leisure Management

'I thought the training was really beneficial to everyone involved, regardless of their rank or role in the company. The interactive sessions made the experience more engaging and interesting to participate in'