Page 96 - Mariners Cricket Club (Singapore) - Souvenir Magazine 2020

b) Buddy system / Co-worker support - a good strategy to avoid isolation. One is responsible
for the other, no matter what. This would counteract isolation which is one of the major
causes of depression on board and incidental to suicidal tendencies.

c) Encouraging team Sports and exercise. Rewards for individual and team winners would
also go a long way. Simple games such as heaving line throws would promote team
building and comradery. Team building games and activities should be kept simple so
they do not need expensive resources and extensive preparation. A log of such events
could be maintained to ensure that such events are indeed taken up and there is adequate
funding provided to the Master to manage the events and prizes.

d) Monthly mandatory mental drills - like the weekly or fortnightly boat and fire drills, the
crew and officers could attend mental well being videos.

e) Company-sponsored group, individual and family counselling sessions - this could be
arranged with a larger population ashore during the company seminars.

f) Online or telephonic individual counselling sessions as and when required.
g) Short duration micro-interventions by qualified psychologists when in port.

h) Psychoeducation from a professional counsellor about maladaptive coping.

When the situation cannot be changed, and one is forced to accept it as is, an individual could
potentially gravitate to maladaptive coping, which includes:
a) Binge drinking

b) Unhealthy eating to feel better
c) Substance abuse

d) Smoking
e) Engaging in risky sexual behaviour

f) Playing excessive computer games as a displacement activity
g) Oversleeping or sleeping too less

h) Procrastination
i) Being self -critical and

j) Rage to vent out frustration.

Mariners’ Cricket Club (Singapore) 96