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Mental Health for Commercial Fishermen
Boat captains, crew, independent fishermen. Real stats, specific resources, and guidance written for the particular culture of this profession — not generic advice.
The numbers
Highest fatality rate of any US occupation. High isolation + financial volatility + masculine culture = high depression + drinking rates.
~38,000 US commercial fishermen
Why mental health looks different here
Long trips away, dangerous work, weather-dependent livelihood, small-town economies. Often can't leave a vessel mid-trip for care.
Profession-specific resources
Built for your job. Not generic EAP. These know the culture.
Most common issues in fishermen
Based on prevalence data for this profession. Each links to a specific resource on Typical Male.
Licensure / fitness-for-duty — what's real and what's myth
USCG licensure has physical/mental fitness standards; work with your maritime medical examiner, not primary care, on documentation.
Free tool
Not sure what's going on?
The PHQ-9 + GAD-7 screeners your doctor uses. Private. Printable for your appointment. Tracks over time.
Take the PHQ-9 →Other professions covered
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