A Standard for Seafarers' Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Training

This publication outlines guidelines for the development of a training course concentrated on seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing. It has been developed by the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) with assistance from the MCA, the MNTB, subject matter experts (SMEs) and trainers. Contents covered include:

• Training aims
• course design
• assessment requirements
• intended outcomes
• modes of delivery.

It includes extracts from the relevant sections of the STCW and MLC Codes.

This document provides suggested criteria for the development of a course to deliver training for Seafarers’ Mental Health and Wellbeing for Merchant Navy (and all its sub-sectors) and Fishing Industry sea-going and shore-based personnel.

At the time of writing (January 2020) there is no statutory requirement for this provision. However, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) (2006) includes some guidance (see Paragraph 18.2) and the need for statutory provision is being kept under review by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB). You are urged to check with those bodies concerning the latest position.

The criteria have been developed by the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) with assistance from the MCA, the MNTB, subject matter experts (SMEs) and trainers.

Abbreviations

Section 1
1. Introduction
2. Why these criteria have been developed
3. Target audience
4. Aims of the training
5. Course Design
6. Training Day
7. Assessment Requirements
8. Qualifications of Facilitators
9. Facilities and Equipment
10. Health and Safety, ‘Safe Space’, Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Boundaries

Section 2 – Seafarers’ Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Training Course
11. Aim
12. The Curriculum and Maritime Culture
13. Entry Requirements
14. Intended Outcomes
15. Modes of Delivery
16. Facilitator to Participant Ratio
17. Training Duration
18. Extracts from the STCW and MLC Codes

Appendix A
19. Facilitator Qualifications

Appendix B
20. Supervision

Appendix C
21. The course and culture

MNTB

The Merchant Navy Training Board is the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing sector specific education, training and skills.

https://mntb.org.uk/