Isca Wellbeing

10/10/2025

⚓️ 🌎 World Mental Health Day

At Isca Wellbeing we understand that life at sea brings unique challenges - isolation, fatigue, stress and long stretches away from loved ones. While seafarers keep the world moving, they often face these struggles in silence.

This World Mental Health Day, we are proud to stand with seafarers and shine a light on the importance of looking after their mental health and wellbeing - not just when times are tough, but every single day. A supported crew is happier, safer and more connected…

Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep supporting. Let’s keep listening.

07/10/2025

Yesterday we were treated to a visit from Tony Emmins (second from right) of Team Rollocks - a 5 person mixed team who spent 47 days rowing across the Atlantic earlier this year to raise money for three fantastic local charities: Rock 2 Recovery UK, Beat (Eating Disorders) and Cockleshell 22 Veteran Expeditions.

Tony handed over the oar we had gifted them for the journey, albeit looking slightly weathered, and regaled us with some incredible stories of heart-stopping moments, dark times, moments of joy and the crazy life onboard their little boat. Congratulations once again... we are still in 'oar' of this phenomenal feat of endurance!

01/10/2025

Number 3 in the Five Ways to Wellbeing is TAKE NOTICE.... This is all about being present and in the moment. For example, have you ever found your mind wandering while someone is talking to you, or worrying about things out of your control, such as events at home or upcoming crew changes. If so, then you will probably find it helpful to practice calming your mind and one of the best ways to do this is by taking notice of your surroundings. Here are some simple activities which can help bring your mind to the present, which has been shown to help boost self-esteem and improve connections with others…

*4-7-8 Breathing:
Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7, breathe out forcefully through your mouth for a count of 8, making a ‘whoosh’ sound as you let the air out. This may be easier if you purse your lips. Begin with 4 rounds of this and then you can gradually increase up to 8 rounds once you are well-practiced at it.

30/09/2025

Isca Wellbeing evolved from our foundations in maritime security and our goal was simple; to support the mental health and resilience of those working in some of the toughest environments, from seafarers to shift workers. If you're not already familiar with our backstory then please click the link below and take a few moments to read about it...

www.isca-wellbeing.com/blog

25/09/2025

World Maritime Day 2025 ⚓

This year’s theme is "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity". The theme reflects the ocean’s vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade transported by sea. The ocean is a source of jobs and food for millions of people, a home for countless marine species, and a regulator of the planet's climate, mitigating the impacts of climate change. Let’s continue to push for world and business leaders to work together to ensure a sustainable and safe utilization of our ocean's resources.

Read more here about the IMO’s role in protecting our oceans:
https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/oceans-default.aspx

17/09/2025

Number 2 in the Five Ways to Wellbeing is BE ACTIVE.... The relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing has been well-researched and documented, with regular exercise proven to be a great mood-booster and stress-buster, while enhancing cognitive function and self-esteem. Other benefits include better sleep, improved muscle mass and brighter looking skin! However, it’s not always easy to get active while onboard, due to limited space and a busy schedule. Here are some ideas to get you started….

23/07/2025

Our Seafarer Mental Health Awareness Course has been developed around the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ - five simple actions you can take everyday which have been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing. The five ways to wellbeing are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Let’s take a look at the first one, CONNECT…

17/07/2025

Our newest addition to the team… Tilly reporting for duty 🫡

16/07/2025

Throughout history, every sea-based story, folk tale or fable shares a common theme; the resilience of the seafarer. Whether recounting explorations, wartime missions or keeping the global trade moving throughout a pandemic, the endurance of the seafarer is evident. However, that resilience is now being tested in more complex ways than ever before… read our latest article delving further into fatigue resilience in seafarers and how we can manage this.

https://www.isca-wellbeing.com/fatigue-resilience-for-the-modern-seafarer

Stay up to date with the latest news, updates, and insights from Isca Wellbeing. Discover new initiatives, events, and articles dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and well-being in our community.

04/06/2025

We have expanded our course options…

30/04/2025

A certain amount of stress is normal and can actually help with focus and motivation, however being under high amounts of stress for prolonged periods of time can lead to serious mental health conditions such as burnout, depression and anxiety. Here are some top tips to help keep your stress in check...

24/04/2025

Mental health at sea isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s absolutely essential. Our training helps seafarers recognise the signs, take proactive steps, and build resilience before problems get out of hand. After all, a supported crew isn’t just happier; they’re also safer, stronger, and more effective.