Suicide Prevention & Crisis Intervention

Aims

This course aims to equip seafarers, officers, and shore-based staff with the awareness, knowledge, and tools necessary to identify early warning signs of suicidal ideation, respond appropriately to crises, and apply intervention strategies that preserve life and promote mental wellbeing. By integrating suicide prevention into shipboard safety management, the course ensures a proactive approach that strengthens both crew welfare and operational safety.

Aligned with:

• MLC 2006 – Protecting seafarers’ health, addressing psychosocial wellbeing, and ensuring access to medical care and support.
• ISM Code – Maintaining a safe working environment and preventing unsafe practices linked to mental distress.
• TMSA – Recognizing human factors, resilience, and leadership as key components of risk management.
• OCIMF/SIRE 2.0 – Meeting vetting expectations for crew wellbeing, resilience, and error prevention.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize early warning signs of suicidal ideation and mental health crises among seafarers.
2. Understand risk factors at sea (isolation, fatigue, long contracts, stigma) that can heighten vulnerability.
3. Apply crisis intervention strategies to preserve life during acute situations.
4. Utilize helplines and professional resources effectively for immediate and long-term support.
5. Promote peer support and just culture where crew feel safe discussing mental health without fear of stigma or punishment.
6. Report and document cases in line with company protocols, flag state requirements, and ISM Code safety management standards.
7. Support resilience-building programs as part of company-wide wellness initiatives under TMSA and SIRE 2.0.
8. Contribute to continuous improvement in mental health awareness and suicide prevention through open reporting, feedback, and case learning.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Suicide Prevention in Maritime Operations

Module 2: Understanding Risk Factors at Sea

Module 3: Recognizing Warning Signs

Module 4: Crisis Intervention Strategies

Module 5: Early Intervention Tools & Helplines

Module 6: Reporting and Protocols

Module 7: Leadership & Crew Wellbeing in Crisis Prevention

Module 8: Building Long-Term Resilience

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Detect and respond to suicidal ideation and crises with confidence.
• Use early intervention tools and helplines effectively.
• Align reporting and crisis handling with company procedures and international frameworks.
• Strengthen safety culture by embedding mental health and suicide prevention awareness.
• Contribute to company compliance with MLC 2006, ISM Code, TMSA, and SIRE 2.0 expectations.

Suicide prevention and crisis intervention are not just humanitarian obligations but vital safety responsibilities. By equipping seafarers with the tools to recognize, respond, and report crises, shipping companies reduce risks, safeguard their people, and strengthen resilience.

Takeaway: Every life matters, and proactive suicide prevention onboard is essential to building a safe, supportive, and compliant maritime workplace.

Suicide prevention and crisis intervention are not just humanitarian obligations but vital safety responsibilities. By equipping seafarers with the tools to recognize, respond, and report crises, shipping companies reduce risks, safeguard their people, and strengthen resilience.