A NEW mobile phone application was introduced by Halcyon Health Network Inc. that is designed to monitor the health and mental status of seafarers.
The health app, BrainHealth, is specifically designed to monitor the psychological health of seafarers prior, during and after their shipboard contracts.
BrainHealth addresses the alarming rise in mental disorders and suicides recorded in the past five years, with depression surpassing anxiety as the most common mental health concern.
Mental health data released by Halcyon revealed that physiological pain, marital, family and work-related stress significantly impacts a seafarer’s mental and physical well-being.
Another data collected by Ship to Shore Medical Assist (SSMA) shows that the unique challenges faced by seafarers include isolation, extended periods away from loved ones and the pressures of life at sea. These factors contribute to heightened stress, anxiety and depression.
This data was backed by a study conducted by the Department of Migrant Workers-National Maritime Polytechnic.
The study showed that a bulk of calls and messages from seafarers relating to mental health increased by 37 percent by the second quarter of 2023. 33.3 percent are crew from passenger vessels/cruise liners, 24.3 percent are from tanker ships, 24.3 percent are from dry cargo vessels, 11.6 percent from bulk carriers and 6.4 percent from container vessels, fishing boats and yachts.
“Recognizing the gravity of this situation, we have embarked on a bold initiative called BrainHealth. This represents a paradigm shift in how we approach mental health support for seafarers,” Glennda Canlas, president and founder of Halcyon, said.
“By providing accessible resources and fostering a culture of openness surrounding mental health, we aim to create an environment where seafarers feel empowered to prioritize their emotional and mental welfare without fear of stigma or judgment,” she added.
App features
BrainHealth works like other mainstream health apps, just without the smartwatch and catered specifically for seafarers.
It is an add-on feature that introduces a suite of new resources on top of the Halcyon Health app.
The key features include Mood Tracker for daily emotional logging, the Wellbeing Atlas with nine courses designed to enhance resilience and mental strength, and access to Psychosocial Support Groups for peer connection and sharing.
The program also offers counseling services through SSMA and monthly Mental Health Talks and Webinars.
The tools help seafarers proactively manage their mental health and access support whenever needed, promoting a healthier state of mind throughout their voyages.
Meanwhile, Gil Norman Canlas, chief executive officer of Halcyon, noted that responses provided by BrainHealth are not derivatives of artificial intelligence, but it is tailor fit to industry standards based on the expertise of medical professionals.
He added that only seafarers can access their medical information.
BrainHealth costs $24 (P1,340) per user per year. The Halcyon Health App is available on iTunes and Play Store.
