Bridging the Gap: A Triple Helix Perspective on Interventions to Strengthen Seafarers' Mental Health.

IntroductionSeafarers face substantial mental health challenges related to isolation, high workloads, and limited access to support, with 77% of surveyed seafarers reporting at least one mental health problem such as sleep disorders, anxiety, or loneliness onboard.MethodsDrawing on the Triple Helix model, through a weighted ratio indicator analysis, this study examines how three stakeholder groups, seafarers, employers, and psychological service providers, perceive seafarers' mental health challenges and the availability and use of support interventions, based on an online questionnaire completed by 106 respondents (48 seafarers, 44 employers, 14 service providers).ResultsFindings reveal marked misalignment between stakeholders' understanding of psychological safety, low utilization of available mental health services, and a pronounced imbalance between demand for psychological support and its supply and uptake in employers.ConclusionThe study's major contribution is to demonstrate, through an integrated supply-demand analysis, where gaps arise between seafarers' needs, market offerings, and employers' implementation practices, and to propose evidence-based recommendations for strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing stakeholders' dialog and collaboration, and contextualizing appropriate training and service provision to strengthen psychological safety and mental well-being at sea.