Maritime UK launches second mental health survey

It is the second Mental Health in Maritime survey carried out by Maritime UK and findings will be published in February 2022.

The first survey in October 2020 identified areas of need, for example only 24% of people surveyed said that their organisation produced, implemented, and communicated a mental health at work plan.

Stu Pollard, Chair, Mental Health in Maritime Network and Director of H&S – Resilience at Arcadis, said: “As people come back into the workplaces, we need to remember that some have been at work and on vessels throughout the Pandemic.

“As leaders, we must start to ask difficult questions; Have we done enough for our employees, have we helped encourage conversations and help reduce the stigma of mental health and illness? Have we engaged positively with people and provided information and support that is accessible to all? Well, it is time to stop wondering if and start acting to make it a reality. Let’s see where we are as a sector and where we can improve by completing the survey which is based on the Thriving at Work report by Stephenson and Farmer."

The industry body also called on businesses to sign up to its Mental Health in Maritime Pledge. To date, it has been signed by over 70 leaders including the Maritime Minister, Robert Courts.

Chrissie Clarke, Head of Diversity and Operations/Secretary to the Maritime Skills Commission, said: “Covid-19 has had a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing, especially at work. As we move into a post-Covid world, we must stand together and commit to improving the quality of mental health and wellbeing throughout the sector.

“World Mental Health Day provides is a perfect opportunity to join the 70+ executives who are signatories of the Mental Health in Maritime Pledge, and we look forward to more signatories signing up.”

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