S1 E4 Providing for Seafarers Mental Health

COVID-19 has had considerable impacts on the lives of seafarers.  Crew changes are restricted in many jurisdictions and access to shore leave, and shore-based welfare support has become increasingly difficult or is denied in many ports.  As a result seafarers are struggling to get home at the end of their contracts, or even to get access to Seafarer Centres and the much-needed WIFI connections to home.  All of this is having negative impacts on seafarers mental health.  In this episode, I am joined by Aaron Ironside, the National Chaplain for the Sailors' Society in New Zealand and a trained mental health worker.  Together we will consider the impacts that this is having and some simple things that can be done to help seafarers to navigate these difficult times.