**Executive Summary**
DGS Circular No. 23 of 2021, issued on August 11, 2021, addresses the need for mental health support for Indian seafarers and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The circular highlights initiatives by Associations of Shipping Companies and Seafarers Unions to provide remote assistance. Indian seafarers and their families are encouraged to utilize these services.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **COVID-19 Impact:**
* The COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant physical and mental stress among Indian seafarers and their families.
* **Support Initiatives:**
* Several associations of shipping companies and seafarers unions have established exclusive helplines.
* These initiatives aim to provide remote assistance to Indian seafarers on leave and their families for COVID counseling and mental well-being.
* **Helpline Details:**
* **REACH (by MASSA-FOSMA):** 24/7 helpline for psychological assistance, counseling, and medical queries. Phone: +91 8069123344, Email: reach@3cubemedicare.com
* **SAHARA (by NUSI):** Psychological helpline. Phone: 1800-102-5110 (toll-free), WhatsApp: +91-9833991880
* **WeTeam Services (Synergy Recruitment Services Pvt. Ltd.):** Counselling 24/7, confidential, free helpline for mental wellbeing of seafarers. Available in 11 local languages. Phone: 1800 890 3315 (toll-free), Timings: Mon to Sat: 0800 - 2200, Email: support@weareweteam.com
* **Website Dissemination:**
* The circular should be placed on the DGS website for wider circulation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Seafarers and their Families**
* **Impact:** Provides access to mental health support and counseling services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the provided helpline numbers and email addresses for assistance.
**Stakeholder: Associations of Shipping Companies and Seafarers Unions**
* **Impact:** Highlights their initiatives in providing mental health support.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide and promote these support services to seafarers and their families.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for disseminating information and supporting the well-being of seafarers.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the circular is placed on the DGS website and translated into Hindi.
**Stakeholder: DGS Website Users**
* **Impact:** Need to have access to the information in an easily accessible manner.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the DGS website for circular related to stakeholders in Shipping.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai: The issuing authority for the circular, responsible for maritime administration in India.
DGS Circular No. 23 of 2021: The specific circular outlining COVID and mental health helpline initiatives for Indian seafarers and their families.
Indian seafarers and their families: The target beneficiaries of the COVID and mental health helpline initiatives described in the circular.
Association of Shipping Companies & Seafarers Unions: Organizations whose initiatives for COVID-19 support are being highlighted and promoted in the circular.
REACH (by MASSA-FOSMA), SAHARA (by NUSI), WeTeam Services: The names of initiatives by maritime organizations listed in the DGS circular as available resources for Indian seafarers and their families.
:f,x. .+TTTCTT+T/
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
I6*6ql1.: .rq-a,'i.r{ TF- nt' r-.Tcr{ {'Tffi'rr
.d-cr
MINISTRY OF PORTs, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
ffiqimq,td
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
F. No.: 23-ClR/5/2021-CREW-DGS Date: 11.08.2021
DGS Circular No.23 ot2021
Subject: COVID and mental health h pline for lndian rers and their families -
c Uni - reg.
The COVID-19 pandemic situation is likely to cause enormous stress both physical and
mental, among lndian seafarers and their families.
2.
The Government of lndia as well as several States and Union Territories have already
launched central helpline numbers for corona virus.
3.
lt is reported to this Directorate that various associations of shipping companies and
seafarers unions have set up helpline numbers exclusively for the benefit of lndian seafarers
and their families keeping in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.
4.
lt is felt that the initiatives by Associations of Shipping Companies / Seafarers Unions
might be helpful to offer remote assistance to lndian seafarers on leave and their families for
COVID counseling and mental well-being
5.
lt is informed that lndian seafarers and their families may avail the said initiatives, details
of which are listed as under:-
No. Name of the lnitiative ils
1 REACH x7 helpline for psychological assistance, counseling
(by MASSA-FOSMA) medicalqueries
Phone Number. +91 8069123344
Email: reach 3cubemedicare.com
2 RA Psychological helpline for seafarers and their families
(by NUSI) Phone Number: 1800-1 02-5110 (toll free)
atApp Number: +9'1 -9833991 880
3 Team Counsell confidential, free, helpline for mental wellbeing
ervices Available in 11 local languages
(Synergy Maritim hone number: 1800 890 3315 (toll free)
Recruitment Services Pvt. rmrngs: Mon to Sat: 0800 - 2200
Ltd Email
6.
This issues with the approval of Director General of Shipping & Addl. Secretary to the
Govt. of lndia.
(su Barguzer)
Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew)
..2
fi-.r ffi.r, gfi {ft-{, qT{ Fts H t-Eq{,6i$: rfi-{ fts,sfiw qr,i ($), fTg -400042
9'hFloor,BU'I'AItuikling, l-'l'hink'l'echno(lrrnrpus.KanjurVillageRoadKtnjurmnrg(ll)/i\Iunrbai
-400A42
5tq/'l'el.: gl -22-257521141y;7273, frg/pnr.: 9l -22-257520ZCtts t-tflt:-nrail: rlsship-rlgs ?:nic.irriT{rtc/\\ ebsite: n n rr.dgshipping.gov.in-2-
To
1. All Stakeholders through DGS website
2. Computer Cell (with a request to place this DGS Circular on DGS website for wider
circulation)
3. Hindi Section, DG Shipping (for Hindi version)
+6rMtq, gff{&€, qrt ffi-fi H q"q'€,'F'i-S('fr{ +6,5'i-W crrl (gf), ff -400042
9'h Floor, BETA Builtling, l-1'hink Techno Oanrpus, Kanjur Village Road Kanjurmtrg (li) / I\{umbai -400042
*</-t'et.; st-22-25752$4ll/t/2iJ, in.ffiFar., 91-22-25i52029135 t-iv/E-nrait: tlgsh i p-dgs,1rrn ic. i naqtr€EAtrebsi te : .dgshi ppi ng.gov.i n