Guiding Principles

1. Show visible leadership in how to support each other with the recognition that we all may struggle to maintain our own mental health and wellbeing.
2. Develop a culture which recognises the need to take care of each other, where everyone feels safe to speak up without fear of negative consequence.
   Good Mental Health Guides for seafarers
3. Raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing and encourage staff to participate in training and engagement.
   Seafarers Mental Health and Wellbeing: Facilitator Notes
4. Ensure the policies, procedures and structures are in place to promote and protect good mental health and wellbeing, and ensure all staff know the details of the support services available to them.
   A Standard for Seafarers’ Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing
5. Ensure that support and guidance continues to be promoted as staff progress in their careers, recognising potential additional pressures as they move up the ranks.
6. Acknowledge how modern pressures of working at sea can affect everyone.
   The Mental Health of Seafarers
7. Regularly monitor employee happiness and engage with staff about any improvements that could be made.
8. Ensure all staff know how to reach out to somebody they may be concerned about and where to seek guidance if they believe someone may be in need of support.