Episode 109: Mental Health at Sea – A Real Talk with Pam Kern

Episode 109: Mental Health at Sea – A Real Talk with Pam Kern

Guest: Pam Kern, MSLCSW, Director of Maritime Mental Health Services, Port Medical Management

Episode Overview:
In this powerful episode, Chris Aversano sits down with Pam Kern, a former cruise ship officer turned licensed clinical social worker, to explore the often unspoken realities of mental health at sea. Pam brings deep insight from both her 18 years aboard cruise ships and her current role supporting seafarers through Port Medical Management. From the psychological toll of constant connectivity to the role of leadership in shaping onboard culture, this episode dives into what it really means to stay well in today’s maritime world.

Key Points:

1. Life Aboard Cruise Ships: Pam reflects on her 18 years managing front-of-house operations on cruise ships, sharing lessons about human behavior, culture, and burnout.
2. A Shift Toward Mental Health: Her journey from crew member to clinician and her “aha” moment in supporting crew well-being.
3. Crew Isolation & Mental Load: How cruise and cargo environments differ—and what unites them in terms of seafarer mental health.
4. The Double-Edged Sword of Connectivity: Why better internet access can help—and hurt—crew well-being without proper support strategies.
5. Cultural Stigma and the Need for Change: Why “good enough” mental health care isn’t good enough, and the dangers of checking the box.
6. Toxic Leadership and Its Ripple Effects: Pam highlights the impact of onboard leadership culture and the need for emotional temperature checks.
7. Mental Health Meets Maritime Tech: From co-intelligence to platform overload—how digital transformation affects psychological resilience at sea.

Learn More:
Check out Episode 87 on seafarer welfare featuring ISWAN and NAMMA leaders.

Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube.

Music by: Peg and The Rejected “King of SKA”
Art Work By: GA Design
Produced by: Chris Aversano

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