Marcus Hand | Sep 28, 2021

The new partnership forms part of EPS’ Life at Sea Programme and MHSS will deliver interactive mental health and wellbeing content across EPS internal communications platforms. All EPS employees will have access to MHSS’ free hotline number providing round-the-clock confidential and professional psychological support for those onboard and ashore.

Gil Ofer, Special Advisor for Innovation at EPS, stated: “Long periods away from families, loved ones, along with heightened restrictions due to Covid-19, can all take their toll. Results from recent studies are further proof that more needs to be done to protect the mental wellbeing of our people.

Related: Rise in seafarer mental health issues reported

“Partnering with MHSS gives our team access to insights, tips, mental exercises and 24/7 support from a qualified clinical psychologist. Just like physical exercise, mental health is something we need to work on daily.”

With its initiative EPS aims to break the stigma around mental health and stimulate internal debate.

Christian Ayerst, CEO at MHSS, said: “EPS is leading the way in stimulating conversations to normalise mental health, which is fantastic. We hope other companies follow suit in encouraging these important discussions and providing professional psychological support to their employees.”