The following is the text of a news release from Human Rights at Sea:
(HAVANT, United Kingdom) — Authored by Professor Neil Greenberg, managing director of March on Stress and professor of defense mental health at King's College London on behalf of Human Rights at Sea, the new publication, "Managing Traumatic Stress — Guidance for Maritime Organizations" aims to provide top-level guidance to senior management to help improve the mental health of seafarers by providing education and evidence-based approaches within the maritime industry.
"Better mental health support for maritime not only provides moral benefits, there are also legal and financial benefits to organizations who focus on supporting their most important asset — their people," Greenberg said.
Published by The Nautical Institute in partnership with Human Rights at Sea, the new publication explains about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and provides direction about how it can be addressed within the maritime environment for crews, as well as educating the commercial management structures.
"Seafarers operating in areas at risk of piracy face the effects of trauma if caught up in an incident as well as the trauma faced by the perceived threat of becoming involved in an incident," said Gavin Rogers, operations director, March on Stress.
The close collaboration shows the industry's determination to highlight this important issue within the maritime sector.
Bridget Hogan, director of publishing and marketing for The Nautical Institute, said, "As the international representative body for maritime professionals involved in the control of seagoing ships, The Nautical Institute is pleased to be involved with the publication of Human Rights at Sea's timely guidance on managing mental health issues at sea. Professor Greenberg's work complements the institute's recent publications and other initiatives on the human element and particularly human performance and limitation.
"It is hoped that this guide will lead to more open discussion, both within companies and within the industry, about mental health at sea, ending some of the stigma that attaches to the subject. It provides practical guidance for ship managers, ship operators, human resources departments and all involved with the welfare of seafarers around the world."
For more information, visit www.humanrightsatsea.org.
