Suicide Safer Maritime Communities

Through an ambitious initiative with the Deutsche Seemannsmission (DSM), The Mission to Seafarers is training more seafarers to recognise and respond to those experiencing a crisis at sea.

At the heart of this partnership are two internationally recognised LivingWorks programmes: ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and safeTALK. Together, they equip welfare professionals, future maritime leaders and local communities with the practical skills needed to prevent suicide and support those in crisis.

The partnership is already taking shape in practice. In September 2026, DSM hosted a LivingWorks ASIST course in Hamburg, Germany, delivered by The Mission to Seafarers. Twenty DSM port chaplains from across the globe completed the programme and became certified Suicide Intervention Care Givers.

Investing in people
The training represents an important investment in those at the frontline of seafarer welfare. Port chaplains regularly encounter seafarers experiencing loneliness, family difficulties, trauma, bereavement and other personal challenges.

The Hamburg programme demonstrates both organisations’ commitment to strengthening communities with the skills to recognise when someone may be struggling and take positive action.

Following the course, DSM Psychosocial Support Coordinator Dirk Obermann said: “ASIST is brilliant, both trainers were extremely well prepared, and the course is very well structured and fits in well with our training programme.”

Global ambition
This commitment extends beyond Hamburg. In Panama, The Mission to Seafarers and DSM launched a joint welfare initiative in 2023, known as The Seafarers Mission Panama. It now provides expanded support to thousands of seafarers passing through the Panama Canal each year.

As part of the wider suicide prevention initiative, Panama-based port chaplains Andrea Meenken and Fr Jesus Iglesia completed our safeTALK Training for Trainers programme. They are now licensed to deliver the maritime edition of safeTALK to maritime universities, cadets, training centres, shipping companies and HR professionals.

As part of their community support, they also plan to provide safeTALK to the Filipino community in Panama, which is a key link to the Filipino seafarers moving through the canal.

The long-term impact could be transformative. By reaching cadets and maritime professionals early in their careers, safeTALK is helping shape a generation of seafarers who can recognise and respond to those in distress, building safer cultures both ashore and on board ships.

Whether through ASIST training in Hamburg, safeTALK delivery in Panama or ongoing pastoral support in ports across the globe, our collaboration with the DSM is strengthening mental health support throughout the maritime sector.

Suicides in shipping exceeded onboard accident fatalities in 2024, accounting for 9% of all crew deaths – many within the first three months at sea, according to Gard’s 2025 Crew Claims Report. This is why safeTALK is so vital.