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Don't wait to worry | Mental Health Crisis

 

THE CASE

Region: Europe, Antibes
Crewmember Profile: Male, 29 years old, Deckhand
Incident: Mental health crisis during peak charter season
MedAire Services Used: Telemedical advice and counselling 
What Happened?

  • At the start of a busy charter season, a deckhand returned to the yacht after a brief trip home for a family funeral.
  • Though he appeared composed, he was quietly grieving the recent loss of a close relative.
  • He didn’t share much with the crew and tried to push through the season without addressing how he was feeling.
  • As the weeks progressed, the combination of grief, long hours, and charter demands began to take a toll. He became increasingly withdrawn and irritable.
  • During a routine shift, he experienced sudden onset palpitations and shortness of breath.
  • Concerned it might be a cardiac issue, the captain contacted MedAire for immediate medical guidance.
Yacht Crewmember Mental Health

MEDAIRE'S RESPONSE

  1. Initial consultation with MedAire: Medical ruled out a cardiac event and identified the symptoms as likely stress-induced—possibly a panic attack.

  2. This opened the door to a deeper conversation: Initially reluctant to disclose, the crewmember admitted to the MedAire nurse that he had been struggling, recently experiencing panic attacks and suicidal thoughts.

  3. MedAire recognised the urgency: Providing immediate remote mental health support and working with the yacht’s management to arrange an offboarding. 

  4. Remote psychiatric assessment: Through MedAire’s trusted partner, confirmed there was no immediate risk to life and urgent psychiatric input was not required.

  5. He was safely removed from the environment: MedAire facilitated further support for his return to home location to ensure appropriate therapies were commenced in a timely manner so the panic attacks could be better controlled.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

  • Mental health issues can manifest physically: MedAire’s medically-led support allowed us to provide better overall management of the crewmember’s health.
  • Mental health issues can build up over time: Especially in the superyacht environment where there can often be little privacy or downtime.
  • Suicidal thoughts are a medical emergency: Early intervention and access to professional support can save lives.
  • Crew won’t always speak up: Especially if they fear stigma, breaches of confidentiality, or career repercussions. It is essential to foster a culture where mental health is prioritised and respected just as much as physical health.
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Best Practices for Supporting Mental Health at Sea

  1. Provide confidential access to support: MedAire’s medical team act as the first port of call to facilitate counselling referrals, as part of a clinically-informed care plan. We offer crew a safe, confidential (unless there is a risk to life) space to talk, whilst considering their overall health
  2. Consider mental health first aid or training: Empowering crewmember to recognise early signs of distress can prevent crises.
  3. Have a clear protocol for mental health emergencies: Just like with physical injuries, there should be a plan for escalation and support.

 

Emotional Support is a vital part of the MedAire membership, click below to find out more.

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