Depression and anxiety among seafarers in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Seafarers in the international maritime industry face longstanding mental health challenges due to the remote and demanding nature of their occupations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges were exacerbated by extended contracts, limited shore leave, and restricted access to essential services ashore. This study presents the first exploration of seafarers' mental health in Canada during the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and December 2022 utilizing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale for anxiety. Eligible participants were those who worked in Canadian waters since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. RESULTS: Among 581 participants, 31.8% screened positive for anxiety and 39.4% for depression. Despite the high prevalence of symptoms, 77.2% to 80.8% reported good to excellent self-perceived mental health, indicating the need to interpret findings through a dual-continuum perspective that considers mental health and mental illness as distinct yet interconnected constructs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the necessity for proactive policy interventions to enhance mental health promotion in the maritime industry. By advocating for a dual-continuum approach that incorporates both mental illness and mental health, this study contributes to the growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of seafarers' overall well-being and productivity. Adapting Canadian mental health policies could improve the well-being and retention of a workforce essential to the national and international maritime industry.