MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS FOR

INTERNATIONAL SEAFARERS DURING

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
A PILOT STUDY

ACTIVITY DURATION RESEARCH NEED

We are researchers from the University of the Philippines Visayas
JANUARY 2021 - OCTOBER 2021 (Iloilo, Philippines), Plymouth University (England), and World
Maritime University (Sweden). Our study is entitled, “Mental Health
Interventions for International Merchant Seafarers during the COVID-
TEAM MEMBERS 19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study.” This study is funded by the Lloyd’s
Sanley S. Abila, PhD Register Foundation, which is a Registered Charity (Reg. no. 1145988)
and limited company (Reg. no. 7905861) registered in England and
Team Leader
Wales.
Lijun Tang, PhD
Momoko Kitada, PhD The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global crisis due to
Serafin Malecosio, RMT, MSPH closures of national borders. In the maritime sector, an on-going crew
change crisis is creating various problems and challenges to our
Rhea Subong, MM
seafarers where they could not either embark or disembark in various
Members ports. With increasing evidence, this crew change crisis has affected
Maye Therese Perbillo the mental health of seafarers associated with crew changes, the lack
Research Associate of shore-leaves, and social distancing measures at ports.

CONTACT DETAILS
Sanley Abila, PhD
Team Leader
Division of Professional Education
University of the Philippines Visayas
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Philippines
E-mail: ssabila@up.edu.ph
Telephone No.: +63 (0)33 3372929
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this research is to examine the mental health
interventions in the merchant shipping and cruise ship
industries with the following objectives:
To identify the mental health intervention measures that
have been taken in these industries.
To examine the experiences of international seafarers of
mental health interventions provided to them in this time of
pandemic.
To evaluate the intervention measures and provide policy
recommendations.