Revolutionising Maritime Mental Health

Maria Synnou joined Mintra following its acquisition of Safebridge in 2021 and has continued to play a pivotal role in advancing SafeMetrix, a psychometric testing platform designed to accurately assess the non-technical soft skills of seafarers. As Mintra’s resident Clinical Psychologist, Maria collaborates closely with clients, providing expert analysis of assessment data and offering valuable insights and guidance to enable them to make safer crewing decisions.

Born and raised in Limassol, Cyprus, Maria knew from a young age that she wanted to be a psychologist. She pursued her dream through school and later moved to the UK, where she studied psychology at Manchester University. After completing her degree, Maria returned to Cyprus to earn her Master's in Clinical Psychology at the University of Nicosia. She gained valuable experience training and working in various settings before establishing a private practice in Limassol. To this day she maintains her private practice to undertake the vital work of assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders in both children and adults.

Maria is naturally inquisitive, always eager to challenge herself and explore new opportunities. In 2017, driven by curiosity and a desire for new experiences, Maria applied for the position of Product Expert at Safebridge, to work alongside her private practice work.

This decision proved to be a turning point. Maria was unaware of the psychological challenges seafarers faced but quickly recognised the immense value of this work. "I am deeply passionate about my work as a psychologist in private practice, where I have the privilege of making a positive impact on individuals’ lives. It has been immensely rewarding through my involvement with SafeMetrix, to be able to extend this positive impact on a much larger scale. SafeMetrix assesses the personal attributes and characteristics of seafarers, which are as important as their technical skills. Through this, I can make a significant impact on the safety and efficiency of the maritime industry by ensuring the well-being of those at sea.”

SafeMetrix assessments were developed in response to maritime accidents, highlighting the industry’s previous focus on technical skills while often neglecting non-technical aspects such as soft skills and cognitive abilities. Recognising this gap, the SafeMetrix team partnered with industry experts and seafarers to research and identify the critical soft skills and cognitive abilities essential for seafarers’ well-being and maritime safety.

Using a robust methodology, including the Fleishman Job Analysis survey, the most important skills requirements for each rank on board were analysed. Based on these findings, SafeMetrix assessments were able to quantify the non-technical skills seafarers should possess, and help crewing managers improve safety and create better conditions through data-driven decisions that protect the well-being of seafarers and reduce the risk of human error.

Balancing her private practice, Maria quickly adapted to her new role, collaborating with crewing managers, seafarers, and the product management team to develop SafeMetrix. Initially she was involved in developing and validating the psychometric assessments in line with best practice principles and the platform. During this process, Maria had the opportunity to gain invaluable experience with interviewing seafarers and understanding their daily challenges and duties.

Maria recalls, “Seafarers often face significant challenges due to the unique and demanding nature of their work environment. Interviewing them was an exciting opportunity, to get to know them and understand how things work on board. Learning about their concerns and challenges at sea gave me a new perspective. The mix of personalities on board was a frequent topic of discussion, and they understood how crucial it was for their safety and overall well-being.”

In 2020, the SafeMetrix team began developing online training courses and a Personal Development Package in response to customers’ need for a holistic solution. This package has been designed to complement the SafeMetrix assessments by addressing identified areas of improvement.

In March 2021, Mintra’s acquisition of Safebridge marked an exciting and positive milestone. Maria viewed this move as a significant step forward, stating, “With this acquisition, we have access to more advanced technology and a larger pool of seafarers and customers who can benefit from a greatly expanded service offering. It’s been an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in their professional growth and well-being.”

Today, as a SafeMetrix Product Expert for Mintra, Marias’ role is a busy blend of product development, customer service, and data analysis. Responsibilities include the conception, implementation, and launch of new assessments and system features and ensuring their integration into the platform. As well as this, presentations to customers and providing support throughout their journey, helping them to maximise their use of SafeMetrix and addressing any issues or concerns they might have.

Marias’ background as a Clinical Psychologist underpins all aspects of her role and equips her with the necessary skills to understand and assess human behaviour, which is key in developing effective assessment products. By leveraging her expertise in human psychology, Maria is able to create products that can accurately assess the personal attributes of seafarers. This is crucial in ensuring safety and efficiency in the maritime industry.

Maria explains passionately. “Seafarers should be valued for their hard work and dedication. When companies show genuine interest and proactively support their development, it makes a world of difference. By helping seafarers improve not just their technical skills but also their non-technical skills, such as communication and teamwork, the crew feels appreciated and empowered. This leads to happier, more cohesive teams that perform better overall,”

Looking to the future, Maria envisions even greater advancements in maritime mental health and psychometric assessment areas. “If someone had told me I’d be working with seafarers worldwide, I wouldn’t have believed it. But now that I understand the challenges they face, I want to make a real impact in the maritime industry. By leveraging technology to automate psychometric assessments, we can help thousands of seafarers improve both their technical and non-technical skills. In the future, I hope to be part of a solution that prioritises the well-being of seafarers, ensuring they feel supported and valued in their roles.”