Healthy Relationships & Well-being
Healthy relationships build a crucial foundation for our wellbeing. Strong, healthy relationships can increase trust and have been known to improve stress, anxiety and some forms of depression. A strong support system, whether that’s with your parents, partners, family or friends can help you to overcome the struggles faced at sea.
Unhealthy relationships can have a harmful effect on our mental health, as evident in cases of bullying, abuse and domestic violence. Research by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020) has shown that work- family conflict and job stress negatively affect seafarer performance at work. It is therefore important that we put healthy connections at the heart of everything we do.
Try to make time to carry out some relationship maintenance both while you are tied up and at sea. Making time to give a loved one a call each day might provide something to look forward to during long, isolating days at sea. Keep a line of communication open can also help you to navigate any relationship issues you may be experiencing with your partner or family.
Where issues are festering over a period of time, it may be useful to speak to a relationship professional. Current & ex-serving Seafarers & Fishermen, as well as their family members, can access fully funded counselling sessions with Relate thanks to support from The Seafarers Charity.
“What is relationship counselling?”
Our highly- skilled counsellors focus on a relational approach to deliver a safe and confidential space to talk about the issues Seafarers and their families may have. Relationship counselling is an effective and vital intervention, particularly where there is continuing relationship distress for a lengthy period.
Counselling can provide the tools to navigate relationship pressures, and prevent relationships falling into crisis at times of crisis where individuals, couples and families reach out early. Our services are available online and across Northern Ireland.
Benefits of Relationship Counselling for Seafarers and Families
Relationship counselling can provide seafarers and their families resources and coping mechanisms for;
- Communicating effectively,
- Coping with fatigue and family life,
- Coping with work load and working conditions,
- Managing long separation periods,
- Stress,
- Missing loved ones,
- Sustaining good relationships with family and friends ashore.
