Recent data from the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) shows that 2,879 seafarers and their families reached out for help from January through June 2025. ISWAN also developed a new taxonomy to more precisely classify and report helpline contacts. ISWAN’s SeafarerHelp helpline — a free, confidential, multilingual service now more than 20 years old — has seen an increase in mental health-related contacts, which made up 15.5% of all issues in early 2025, more than double the percentage from the previous year. The most common struggles are workplace stress (32%), worry (27%), and low mood (23%) — often tied to isolation, high-pressure environments, or difficult crew dynamics. Even more concerning, 9% of those contacting the helpline for mental health reasons reported suicidal thoughts. Unlike typical shore-based hotlines, SeafarerHelp maintains ongoing contact with crew over days or weeks, offering a consistent connection for those cut off from traditional support systems. “What ISWAN’s experience of operating SeafarerHelp for the past 20 years demonstrates is that seafaring life, with its combination of high-risk work, a confined onboard environment, and prolonged separation from loved ones, poses inherent mental health challenges,” the report stated. This rise in outreach doesn’t necessarily mean more crew are struggling — it may reflect a shift toward openness and awareness. Many now recognize when they need help and feel empowered to seek it. ISWAN’s findings serve as a reminder that mental well-being is a safety issue as much as a personal one — and that ensuring crew support systems keep pace with the evolving realities of life at sea is vital for the industry’s future.