The maritime industry, while being the backbone of global trade, also poses significant mental health risks due to the challenging conditions faced by its workforce. Long voyages at sea, isolation, and prolonged separation from family members test the psychological resilience of seafarers. As such, raising awareness around mental health in this sector is of utmost importance. In an in-depth conversation with Deep Current News, mental health professionals Güven Kale, Gülsüm Özsarı, and Amine Güzel shared their insights and experiences, shedding light on the psychological challenges faced by seafarers and the critical support mechanisms that need to be developed. Their reflections underscore the vital importance of implementing robust mental health practices across the maritime industry.
To begin, we would like to get to know you better. How did your journey in psychology begin? Could you share your story and experiences with us?
Güven Kale: Hello, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our work. I graduated from the Psychology Department at Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2018 and later completed my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in Italy. I then received training in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and began working with clients in Turkey.
Eventually, I made the decision to move to Germany and settled in Bremen. There, I began a second master’s program in Cruise Ship Management while also joining Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), the company I currently work with. Over the years, I progressed to the position of Chief Clinical Officer.
MHSS was a significant opportunity for me, as one of my greatest dreams was to work with seafarers in Turkey. My father, Hüseyin Kale, is a 1982 graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, and I grew up listening to his stories and those of his seafaring colleagues. I had a firsthand understanding of how demanding a profession seafaring can be. So, discovering the existence of such a company in Hamburg felt like a fortunate surprise.
For the past three years, I’ve been actively involved in conferences, training programs, and one-on-one sessions with seafarers around the world. Through these efforts, we aim to raise awareness across the maritime industry about the importance of mental health.
With growing attention to mental health in Turkish maritime circles in 2024, our work in Turkey has significantly expanded. Today, we have a team of clinical psychologists working locally. I’m proud to collaborate with two esteemed colleagues in Istanbul, Ms. Gülsüm and Ms. Amine, who conduct client sessions, deliver training programs, and support me at conferences.
Gülsüm Özsarı: Maritime is a Team Effort—Mental Health Support Must Extend Beyond the Sea
The maritime industry presents an environment that directly impacts the psychological well-being of those working at sea. Factors such as prolonged voyages, stress, and isolation can significantly affect seafarers’ mental health and overall well-being. In this context, how do you assess the psychological impact of long-term offshore assignments on maritime personnel? Additionally, what preventive measures can be implemented in the industry to minimize these effects, and how might these challenges influence communication, collaboration, and performance among crew members?
Güven Kale: I believe everyone working in this industry is aware of the challenges encountered at sea and the psychological impact they can have. So the question becomes: how can we improve the situation?
First and foremost, seafarers should have regular access to psychological counseling services. Training in stress management, emotional resilience, and mental health preservation should be integrated into their routines. In addition, the use of modern communication technologies should be enhanced to help crew members stay in touch with their loved ones more easily, and social activities onboard should be encouraged to foster a warmer, more inclusive environment. These types of social and emotional supports are incredibly valuable in reducing feelings of loneliness.
Another important issue is increasing the number of personnel onboard. In all my professional experience, I have yet to meet a seafarer who works standard nine-to-five hours. Most work with inadequate sleep and continue beyond their contract terms. This is a serious issue that accelerates both physical and mental exhaustion.
Rest periods must be planned in a fair and balanced manner, and excessive workloads and stress levels must be addressed. Achieving this requires increasing crew numbers and distributing tasks more equitably. These structural improvements will have a direct impact on both individual well-being and operational efficiency.
Gülsüm Özsarı: In fact, I believe these types of training should not be limited to the crew onboard; they should also be extended to the shore-based staff. The maritime industry is a complex and interconnected system made up of various roles. Every link in this chain must be supported appropriately in managing the challenges they face. Just as the labor of those at sea is vital, so too is the operational support provided by the onshore teams.
Therefore, equal care and attention must be given to the well-being, needs, and working conditions of both onboard and shore-based personnel. This is not only important for the individuals themselves, but also for the overall efficiency and sustainable success of the sector.
Office staff are often tasked with managing vessel operations, solving complex problems, and coordinating processes under high-pressure and fast-paced conditions. As such, they too should have access to training and support systems designed to build psychological resilience.
Providing shore-based personnel with education on topics such as stress management, mental health awareness, and work-life balance will help foster a healthier, more resilient, and more productive workforce across the entire maritime sector.
Amine Güzel: Stress Management Training Is One of the Most Effective Ways to Reduce Human Error at Sea
Stressful situations can impair seafarers’ ability to make sound decisions at critical moments, potentially leading to occupational accidents. For this reason, maritime psychology plays a key role in preventing maritime incidents. How do you evaluate the impact of stress—especially during critical decision-making moments—on individual safety behaviors and errors that may lead to accidents in the maritime industry? Additionally, how would you explain the role of stress-coping strategies in enhancing crew safety?
Amine Güzel: It’s clear that due to the nature of the maritime industry, it presents a working environment full of challenges and high-risk situations. Seafarers constantly face numerous stressors, including isolation, sleep deprivation, uncertainty, and adverse weather conditions. As we know, such chronic stressors can negatively affect cognitive functioning. This, in turn, may impair vital skills such as information processing, rapid and accurate decision-making, and maintaining attention—substantially increasing the likelihood of errors during critical moments.
This risk becomes particularly apparent in emergencies or during complex operations, where poor decisions may lead to workplace accidents and safety violations. During our post-incident vessel visits, we often encounter such scenarios, unfortunately.
Research has shown that during high-stress operations—such as bunkering or emergency responses—a lack of stress awareness and management skills can significantly contribute to critical errors that lead to accidents.
This is precisely where maritime psychology plays a vital role: in identifying and managing these risks. I can confidently say that stress management and psychological resilience training help individuals recognize their stress responses and develop effective coping strategies for high-pressure situations.
In every training session I deliver, I emphasize certain practical intervention techniques that have consistently received very positive feedback from seafarers. Techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and grounding practices enable individuals to broaden their focus and maintain mental balance in moments of acute stress. With these methods, seafarers can strengthen their problem-solving abilities, engage in cognitive restructuring, and make more effective use of social support systems.
Ultimately, integrating psychological support programs into the maritime sector does more than promote individual well-being—it significantly enhances operational safety. This approach is a critical step toward accident prevention and the development of a sustainable maritime ecosystem.
Güven Kale: Strong Leadership Onboard Is Built Not Only on Authority, but Also on Empathy, Openness, and Psychological Awareness
Maritime psychology encompasses not only individual mental states but also team dynamics, leadership approaches, and collaboration processes. A strong sense of team spirit is essential for the efficient functioning of ship crews, and the role of leaders in this context is critical. Could you explain how leaders should approach psychological factors to foster effective communication and cooperation among crew members? Additionally, how do you assess the influence of leadership styles on crisis response capabilities?
Güven Kale: Among the most important qualities a leader should possess are empathy and cultural awareness. I sometimes hear seafarers mention that their superiors say things like, “I already have 99 problems, I don’t need to deal with yours too,” or “Stop whining and do your job.” Unfortunately, I don’t believe that work environments where this kind of language prevails are either psychologically safe or conducive to personal growth. On the contrary, such attitudes can contribute to long-term mental health issues among crew members.
First and foremost, shipboard leaders must be individuals who can understand the needs of crew members from diverse cultural backgrounds and adopt an inclusive, sensitive approach to these differences. As we know, leaders are the key drivers shaping team dynamics. That’s why it’s essential that they communicate in an open, clear, and transparent manner. This isn’t only important for ensuring the smooth execution of daily operations, but also for minimizing the risk of misunderstandings during crises.
In hierarchical structures where authority is emphasized, I’ve observed that some leaders are reluctant to show vulnerability. However, when a leader admits a mistake or reveals their human side, it actually builds trust and reinforces their leadership within the team. This is a point I frequently emphasize in my recent leadership training sessions.
When it comes to crisis intervention, it is especially important that leaders are equipped with basic psychological first aid approaches. Moreover, they must possess the emotional resilience and tools to help crew members cope with stress. By psychological first aid, I mean practical techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and rapid recovery strategies that leaders should be familiar with and able to teach when necessary.
Remaining calm and showing empathy are two of the most critical elements of effective crisis management. The team needs to feel that sense of security from their leader. Post-crisis psychological support is just as important as the initial response. Incidents always leave a mark on individuals, so it is vital for leaders to engage in open communication afterward—sharing what happened, addressing the psychological impact, and guiding the team toward support resources when needed.
Amine Güzel: One in Every Seven Maritime Deaths Is a Suicide — Psychological Support Is No Longer Optional, but Essential
What do research findings reveal about how suicide rates in the maritime industry vary according to seafarers’ age groups, racial backgrounds, and other demographic factors? Additionally, considering the impact of these demographic variables on mental health, what strategic approaches can be developed within the industry to personalize psychological support services for seafarers and to prevent such incidents?
When examining suicide rates in the maritime industry, unfortunately, we are faced with a striking and alarming reality. Current data reveals that approximately 15% of deaths at sea are due to suicide. This figure alone highlights the psychological risks inherent in the sector. Young seafarers, particularly those between the ages of 19 and 35, are under significant psychological strain due to factors like lack of experience and uncertainty. Within this age group, many struggle to cope with the challenges they face, placing them at higher risk. In fact, the majority of calls we receive through our 24/7 support lines come from trainees aged 19–24.
In the middle-aged group, the emotional toll of prolonged assignments—often spent far from family and loved ones—can become increasingly burdensome, leading to long-term psychological strain.
In addition to age, racial and cultural differences also play a significant role in mental well-being. In environments where cultural diversity is poorly managed, the risk of discrimination rises. This can lead to feelings of isolation, exclusion, depression, and even suicidal ideation. The situation becomes even more sensitive for female seafarers, who are more likely than their male counterparts to experience heightened psychological stress, discrimination, and unfortunately, incidents of sexual harassment. Concerns about safety are another major stressor that negatively affects the mental health of women at sea.
All these findings make it abundantly clear that effective solutions and concrete actions are urgently needed. First and foremost, systems must be developed to respond to the psychological needs of different age groups. For young seafarers in particular, early access to mental health education and support is critical. For example, integrating psychology-related courses into maritime academy curricula could make a significant difference. During a recent conference we held at ITU Maritime Faculty, students voiced that their curriculum lacked any courses offering psychological insight and that they had a strong need for such knowledge. Their interest and openness to support clearly reflect the value of early intervention.
When it comes to racial, cultural, and gender-based diversity, we must expand cultural sensitivity training, strengthen anti-discrimination policies, and ensure that all support services are accessible in multiple languages. At MHSS, we already offer multilingual training sessions and psychological services to address this need. However, it is vital that these initiatives reach far beyond our organization and become standardized across the entire industry.
I truly hope that in the near future, we will see a maritime sector where mental health is regarded, understood, and protected with the same seriousness as physical health. Raising awareness in this area is not only a step toward improving individual lives but also essential for the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.
Gülsüm Özsarı: At MHSS, during our weekly supervision meetings, all clinical psychologists who have worked on cases that week come together to share their experiences. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to listen to the cases of seafarers from diverse cultural backgrounds and gain new perspectives. Based on my observations, suicide rates in the maritime industry show significant variation depending on age, racial background, and other demographic factors. Young seafarers, in particular, are more vulnerable to isolation, while cultural discrimination, language barriers, and a lack of belonging can heighten feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, triggering increased suicide risk. Over time, these challenges may escalate into more serious social problems on board, such as group formation, exclusion, and bullying.
That’s why, at MHSS, we take great care to consider demographic diversity and individual needs in order to increase the effectiveness of our psychological support services. For instance, when an Indian seafarer reaches out for support, their case is handled by an Indian clinical psychologist to ensure cultural compatibility and overcome language barriers. Similarly, Turkish-speaking seafarers are supported by members of our Turkey-based team. This approach minimizes linguistic and cultural differences, creating a safe and understanding environment where individuals feel truly seen and supported.
Any final remarks?
Güven Kale: Finally, working on seafarers’ mental health is not just a profession for me, but also a passion. My advice to young psychologists considering this field is to develop their empathy skills and be open to learning about the dynamics of the maritime industry. It should never be forgotten that every small step taken in mental health can create a positive change in a seafarer’s life.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues who support me and everyone contributing to raising awareness about this important issue in the maritime sector. We will continue working together for a future where our seafarers can work in peace and health.
Gülsüm Özsarı: Working on seafarers’ mental health has taught me not only about their struggles but also about their resilience and attachment to life. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while working with them is that small gestures can have a huge impact. Sometimes, simply being a sincere listener can make a real difference in a seafarer’s life. Therefore, I make sure to act not only with my expertise but also with heartfelt dedication.
Amine Güzel: I agree with my colleagues; the points they emphasized are extremely important for the maritime sector. I believe that every effort, no matter how small or large, will create significant effects in the future. I hope what we shared sheds light for people both inside and outside the industry and that together we can make a meaningful contribution to the future. Thank you as well for this wonderful interview. I look forward to meeting again in many successful projects!
