Mental wellbeing…

We recognise and support good mental wellbeing…

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health, whether on land or at sea, and we recognise the stigma often associated with mental health challenges that can lead to silent suffering. We firmly believe in open communication and strive to ensure that any mental health issues are treated with the same respect and care as physical ailments.

Key Points

• Importance of Mental Wellbeing: Berge Bulk recognises mental health as equally important as physical health and aims to eliminate any stigma.
• Mental Health Programme: A comprehensive initiative focusing on work-life balance, relationships and coping with stress and isolation.
• Care Buddies: A community of trained volunteers offering Psychological First Aid to support crew members.
• Mental Health Champions: Trained individuals on shore to raise awareness and facilitate discussions about mental health.
• Well@Sea Platform: Offers various challenges to enhance mental wellbeing through mindfulness and stress-reduction exercises.

Berge Bulk has initiated a comprehensive Mental Health Programme to bolster the wellbeing of its employees, recognising the intricate interplay between emotional, psychological and social factors in mental health.

The programme addresses various facets such as work-life balance, relationships and coping with challenges like isolation and stress. Through weekly communications, podcasts and personalised activities, the company ensures robust support for both seafarers and shore employees.

Two Support Initiatives

The programme also consists of two support initiatives: Care Buddies and Mental Health Champions. These appropriately trained colleagues provide ongoing support, nurturing mental wellbeing alongside physical health to foster a resilient and thriving workforce.

BERGE BULK CARE BUDDIES

Life on the high seas can be tough and it can take its toll on mental health. At Berge Bulk, we recognise these challenges, and we’re committed to supporting our seafarers’ wellbeing.

Our support initiative features a dedicated community of Care Buddies — recruited from within the workforce — who are equipped with Psychological First Aid (PFA) training provided by ISWAN.

Through our You Matter wellbeing programme we currently have a total of 328 Care Buddies across our fleet. These volunteers are essential to our crew’s support system — they play a vital role in spotting signs of mental distress, providing a listening ear, and helping crew members in seeking necessary support. We aim to have at least two Care Buddies on each vessel, fostering a healthier, safer, more resilient team at sea.

BERGE BULK MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPIONS

In 2024, in partnership with Annabelle Psychology — an accredited provider of clinical psychology services — Berge Bulk developed and launched a structured, sustainable mental wellness programme that engages our entire organisation.

We have currently trained and certified a team of Mental Health Champions on shore to proactively raise awareness of mental wellbeing, recognise early signs, and take timely interventions. The team help to foster conversations around mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, isolation and mild depression. They offer a safe and supportive space for colleagues to share any difficulties they may be facing.

The Mental Health Champion initiative is an important part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of our employees.

Well@Sea: Mental Wellbeing Challenges

A variety of engaging challenges related to mental health are available through our Well@Sea platform. These challenges address various aspects of mental health — from reducing anxiety through meditation guides, to fostering emotional wellbeing via team discussions on life satisfaction and gratitude. These simple exercises are proven to reduce stress, promote mindfulness, and improve sleep.