The ITF Seafarers’ Trust has put out a Call for Expressions of Interest for collaborating centres to undertake research into suicide among seafarers.
The research questions to be addressed are the relationship between living and working at sea and mental distress or ill-health in[ds_preview] both the short and long term; the effect of population variables within the international seafaring population on these relationships; whether there is an excess risk of suicide in seafarers compared to other professions; and
what intervention methods have the potential to be used in seafaring populations to reduce any adverse effects of seafaring on mental ill-health and suicide.
According to figures published by the UK P&I Club suicide rates among seafarers have more than tripled since 2014 and have become the No. 1 cause of death at sea. 2016 had seen a 4.4 % increase in suicides among seafarers.
The research will be used to encourage the industry to take steps to reduce mental distress and its serious consequences in seafarers, and to ensure that seafarers suffering from mental ill-health or the dependents of those who have suicided are not stigmatised.Suicide rates among seafarers have more than tripled since 2014 and are now the most common cause of death at sea, according to figures from the UK P&I Club. Crew deaths attributed to suicide have increased from 4.4 percent in 2014-2015 to 15.3 percent in 2015-2016.
»Eplore relationship between social isolation, depression and suicide«
Kimberly Karlshoej, Head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, said: »The ITF Seafarers’ Trust is a leader in promoting and improving the wellbeing of seafarers worldwide. We’re getting a lot of anecdotal information on seafarers suiciding, however, we need more evidence of the extent and causes of this problem.«
She added: »This important research will explore the relationships between social isolation on board, depression and, in the worst cases, suicide. It will enable the maritime community to gain much-needed answers that will assist in understanding the extent of seafarers’ mental health problems.«
David Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, added: »The Seafarers’ Trust already carries out some excellent work in relation to mental health. I welcome the move to commission this research and believe it will shed light on an often-hidden issue.«
Centres interested in participating are invited to submit a form explaining the outline of their proposed research. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 1 September 2017.
