Crew Mental Health & Wellbeing

Independent study. xplor is not an accredited training provider, is not affiliated with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or any MHFA provider, and awards no certificate. This is not clinical training and is not a substitute for professional mental-health care.

Free

CREW-MH-1 · Why Mental Health Matters at Sea

4 lessons

CREW-MH-1.1 The Pressures of Life Onboard Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-1.1.1

What This Course Is, and What It Is Not

Sets out what this course is (preparatory study for yacht crew) and what it is not (a certificate or clinical training). Introduces the four-verb scope: recognise, listen, signpost, escalate.

CREW-MH-1.1.2

The Pressures Nobody Puts in the Brochure

Explains the specific structural pressures of yacht crew life and why seafarers show elevated psychological distress. Sets out both the human and the safety case for taking crew wellbeing seriously.

CREW-MH-1.2 Stigma, Safety and the Rules Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-1.2.1

Stigma, Silence and the Cost of Saying Nothing

Explores why yacht crew hide mental health difficulties and what that silence costs, both personally and in safety terms. Shows how ordinary behaviour in the crew mess can shift the culture.

CREW-MH-1.2.2

MLC 2006 and the Yacht Duty of Care

Introduces MLC 2006 and the vessel duty of care to crew: hours of rest, medical care, accommodation and the onboard complaints procedure. Explains how the framework backs up wellbeing conversations.

CREW-MH-2 · Recognising and Responding

4 lessons

CREW-MH-2.1 What Struggling Looks Like Onboard Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-2.1.1

Changes You Would Actually Notice in a Colleague

Describes what common mental health difficulties look like behaviourally in a colleague onboard, framed as change from that person normal baseline rather than diagnostic criteria.

CREW-MH-2.1.2

Exhaustion, Alcohol and the Ways Crew Cope

Covers the role of chronic fatigue, alcohol and other quiet coping strategies in yacht crew life, and how to notice when a coping tool has become a problem of its own.

CREW-MH-2.2 Having the Conversation Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-2.2.1

Starting the Conversation

A practical method for opening a conversation with a crew member you are worried about: set it up, ask directly, listen without fixing, and what not to say.

CREW-MH-2.2.2

Confidentiality, Boundaries and Rank

Explains how to handle confidentiality honestly, including its limits where there is risk to life or the vessel, how to avoid becoming someone therapist, and how rank changes the conversation.

CREW-MH-3 · Crisis, Escalation and Self-Care

4 lessons

CREW-MH-3.1 Crisis and Escalation Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-3.1.1

When Someone May Be at Risk of Harming Themselves

How to respond if you believe a crew member may be at risk of harming themselves: ask directly and calmly, take it seriously, do not leave them alone, and escalate immediately for professional help.

CREW-MH-3.1.2

The Escalation Chain, Onboard and Ashore

Sets out the escalation route for a crew mental health concern, from the person themselves up to the captain, telemedical advice, the management company, ISWAN and emergency services, plus aftercare and return to work.

CREW-MH-3.2 Self-Care and Crew Culture Practice in examiner →

CREW-MH-3.2.1

Looking After Yourself

Practical self-care for crew, covering sleep, routine, daylight, contact with home, money and alcohol, plus boundaries, the limits of being a supporter, and how to recognise when you need help yourself.

CREW-MH-3.2.2

Building a Crew Culture Where This Is Normal

Shows how leadership behaviour, the crew mess, alcohol norms and vessel practice build a culture where crew can speak up, and restates that this course is preparatory study rather than certification.

Aligned to the IAMI GUEST Program framework. Preparatory study only — assessment and certification are carried out by an approved GUEST Training Provider. Official source (GUEST Program).

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