Mental Health at Sea: A Seafarer’s Perspective

Seafarers are resilient, but that doesn’t mean they never struggle. For seafarers spending months away from home, long working hours, isolation, challenges in their duties on board and homesickness all take a toll on mental health. So what helps? We asked seafarers to share their experiences.

Jay R Divina, Chief Cook

As a Chief Cook, the pressure can be especially difficult because the galley does not always follow the same working rhythm as other departments.

And, of course, being at sea means missing many of life’s important moments with the people we love. The emotional weight of being away from family can sometimes be just as difficult as the workload itself.

For me, one of the ways I cope is by finding small moments for myself. After long and stressful working hours, I try to disconnect for a while – watching something funny, listening to music, talking with family, or simply having some quiet time. Being able to see and talk to our families gives us a sense of connection and reminds us that we are not alone.

But personal coping is only part of the solution. Mental health should not only be discussed when someone is already struggling. There should be an environment where seafarers feel comfortable saying, “I’m not okay,” without being judged or treated differently.

Ralp Jayson Tolentino, 2nd Officer

Mental health at sea is shaped not only by a person’s inner strength, but also by connection, working relationships and leadership.

For me, internet access is both a blessing and a challenge. It allows us to be in touch with our families, but too much connectivity can also be emotionally draining. We may receive troubling news, yet we cannot simply leave the ship. We are informed – but sometimes powerless.

When people respect each other, work together and look after each other, the vessel becomes a temporary home. As an officer, I personally try to be the “glue” that helps bring everyone together.

Leadership is not limited to ensuring that work is completed. It means noticing when someone is unusually quiet, creating opportunities for the crew to connect and reminding people that they are valued.

The crew shirt we designed was an example of this. We made something that told the story of our trip. The back displayed the ports we had called at during 2025, similar to a band’s tour shirt. During the holiday season, the shirt reminded us that we were one crew, sharing the same challenges, celebrations, and journey.

Capt. Roi Emmanuel D. Verastigue, MM, AFNI, Master

Most of us carry the silent weight of knowing that, as life progresses back on land at a pace so swift without our presence, we, on the other hand, have to endure the life that is tethered to a monotonous scheme. One may ask, “How do you cope?”

It all boils down to deliberate connection. Connection to oneself and with your community. The saying “no man is an island” is true, after all. Even something as simple as shared laughter during meals can make a huge impact. Go and try to transform your fellow crew from being mere co-workers into a tight-knit support network.

The Bible says, “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.” If we are to liken our mind to a good tree that yields great thoughts and clear thinking, we have to, of course, keep the tree – or, in this case, our body in good shape.

Fundamentally, our mental wellbeing at sea relies on how effectively we bridge the gap from isolation to our community, to the people we love and the ones who genuinely care.