Mental health disorders aren’t always triggered by a single traumatic event — more often, they’re the result of incremental, prolonged exposure to stress.

In this episode, we confront the harsh realities facing members of the invisible workforce — mariners and cargo ship workers — whose essential labor often goes unseen and untreated. What exacerbates these conditions is a system that refuses to see or validate their humanity. From chronic stress to trauma, and the tragic consequences of suicide, we explore how workers are silently bearing the weight of systems that fail to protect their well-being. We are joined by Martin Slade, Director of Research of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Yale, to unpack the intersection of mental health and structural neglect in the workplace. Join us as we reframe the narrative on mental health and create a culture of care.