More than a Moustache: Talking Men’s Mental Health in Yachting
Lately I’ve been thinking about how our environments shape the way we feel. Years in yachting – the high pace, the constant movement, the deep camaraderie – shape how we feel. When life shifts, a quiet hum of self-doubt, restlessness, or loneliness can creep in. This adjustment can be harder than anyone prepares you for.
November is Men’s Mental Health Month, also known as Movember. With this in mind, it feels right to talk about men’s mental health, not just moustaches and fundraising, but identity, adjustment, and the way men see themselves when life feels heavy.
Many men face these moments quietly, adapting quickly to changes in weather, plans and crew, but rarely being taught the tools to navigate their emotions.
As Max Lee, Head of Recruitment for The Crew Hunter, notes, “It’s something that has always been brushed under the carpet, especially with men.” The pressures are intense: to achieve, solve problems, and “stay strong.”
Men’s Mental Health Onboard
Over the years, I’ve spoken to countless crew members, especially those on navigation watch, the king’s watch. The ones who see the sun rise and set, who stay awake through the small hours while the rest of the world sleeps. That’s when conversations get real.
Beneath the surface, you hear the things men rarely admit in daylight: the weight of home missed, relationships stretched thin, sheer frustration, career doubts, the music that keeps them going. Guilt, fear of not being good enough, or simply feeling low can echo heavily when you’re isolated with your thoughts.
Max emphasises the pressure from the outside world: “The demands and stresses are greater than before. There’s pressure to always be achieving, to not come across as ‘weak’ … This needs highlighting across not just the industry, but the world.”
The Urge to Fix vs. the Need to be Heard
Many men are raised to fix, build and solve. That instinct can be helpful – but it can also work against them.
Jamie Nicholson, deck recruiter at The Crew Hunter, explains, “The women in my life listen best and empathise, whereas most men, myself included, jump straight to finding solutions. Sometimes just having someone listen is enough.”
This creates a catch-22: the urge to fix things can make it harder to recognise that the real need is simply to be heard. Pausing, reflecting, and talking isn’t a weakness. Sometimes that’s what allows the weight to ease.
Finding Your Spark
What helps men reconnect with themselves looks different for everyone. For Max, it’s being passionate about mental health itself, using the gym, taking guilt-free personal time, and having real conversations whenever possible. These small acts of self-care keep him grounded.
Jamie switches off by doing activities that absorb him completely: “Walking, golf, the gym or reading. When I’m out playing golf, I’m only thinking about golf and chatting with my mates. I can spend five hours without checking my phone – the outside world just doesn’t exist.”
Crew dynamics play a huge role too. “Candidates focus on pay, rotation and charter,” Jamie says, “but if they asked about crew environment and wellbeing, they might find better places to work. You’re surrounded by people 100% of the time, so having a friendly, stable crew is massively beneficial.”
Andrew Roch, the Founder of Yacht Crew Recruitment & Training, stays grounded by checking in with his family, peers and colleagues, and maintaining an active lifestyle, habits that keep perspective in balance.
Movember is a reminder to notice what brings you, or the men in your life, moments of joy, energy or peace. And to make space for that, regularly.
Strength is not silence
Yachting is demanding, but creating space for genuine support is essential. Andrew Roch states, “True strength lies in being vulnerable and having conversations we fear will harm our reputation as leaders.” Self-awareness, honesty, and compassion are key.
Whether at sea or on land, the message is clear: strength is not silence. True grit is facing challenges honestly, allowing yourself to feel, and reaching out for support when needed.
Every day, men are showing up, talking, and supporting each other. That’s strength. That’s progress. And that’s the message Movember is truly about..
Keep the Conversation going
Men’s mental health is not just a one-month campaign; it is an everyday commitment. Open, honest conversations matter everywhere.
Check in with your crew, mates and yourself. Awareness, conversation and support start with noticing and asking.
Additional Support & Resources
🎧 Podcast: Exploring Addiction and Recovery with Andrew Roch
💡 Courses: Explore free Mental health and wellbeing programs with The Crew Academy
Other organisations:
- The Soor – Reshaping beliefs, breaking destructive habits, and empowering individuals.
- MAN UP? – Breaking stigma through conversation and community.
- Mind – Support and local help for anyone facing mental health challenges.
- CALM – Helpline and webchat for men needing to talk.
- Anxiety UK – Resources for anxiety and panic disorders.
