New Bedford is witness to the truth that the seafaring industries are harmful, rugged, isolating and stuffed with uncertainty. As expansive because the fishing trade is, the one factor lacking has at all times been a portal to offer assist and assist for the employee’s psychological well being.
The Samaritans Southcoast, and their worldwide accomplice Befrienders Worldwide, have launched a brand new program, Seafarers Worldwide Emotional Assist Companies (SIESS), designed to offer the mariners and their households emotional wellbeing.
“New Bedford’s port is a world hub for fishing, cargo and commerce, so it makes a lot sense that Samaritan’s SouthCoast, turns into the U.S. headquarters for SIESS,” mentioned Samaritans Govt Director Darcy Lee.
The fishing trade has one of many highest numbers of suicides per capita than some other enterprise.
“Seafarers are sometimes a good distance from house, lonely and depressed that they missed one other birthday or household occasion,” Lee mentioned. “We need to ensure that our providers are made accessible, as a result of this specific group of laborers are rugged and difficult, and won’t at all times really feel snug reaching out asking for assist.”
Till now, the industries have achieved comparatively little to assist the psychological well being of their workforce.
“From the calls we get, greater than 70 p.c of the native inhabitants really feel pressured, have anxiousness, melancholy, and relationship points. The fishing trade is a part of this group of individuals, and we wish them to know it is okay to not be okay,” mentioned Lee.
Samaritans Southcoast is totally ready to take calls from mariners and port staff from New Bedford to Lengthy Seashore, California.
Seafarers are inspired to go to the Befrienders Worldwide website and click on on “Emotional Assist for Seafarers.”
Samaritans Southcoast has a cellphone line devoted to receiving SIESS calls. Anybody concerned within the fishing, maritime, transport, wind or shore-side industries can name (508) 673-3720 regionally or +1-508-673-3720 internationally, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Jap time, seven days per week.
“When a mariner reaches out for assist, I need them to know we’re there for them,” Lee mentioned.