Building Stronger Connections: Narra Health and KRBS Group Champion Seafarer Mental Health in Bacolod
At Narra Health, we are a mental health company in the Philippines dedicated to providing holistic mental health support to underserved communities, including OFWs and their families. We deliver preventative mental health care that is culturally relevant and designed to empower individuals to prioritize their well-being. That’s why we’re proud to partner with KRBS Group, a century-old ship management company under the Kawasaki Kisen Group, to support the mental health of their seafarers and families.
Since January 2026, Narra Health has had the privilege of serving the dedicated seafarers of KRBS under the Ventis Maritime Group. On March 28, in collaboration with Rayomar Insurance, we brought that support directly to Bacolod, gathering over 100 KRBS crew members and their loved ones at Citadines Bacolod City for a day centered on one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of seafaring life: relationships.
Dama at Damdam: A Workshop on Healthy Relationships and Communication for Seafarers
Life at sea creates a unique set of pressures on families. Long stretches apart, limited communication windows, and the constant cycle of departure and reunion can strain even the strongest bonds. Our workshop, Dama at Damdam: Healthy Relationships & Communication, was designed to address these mental health challenges for seafarers and OFWs head-on.
Led by Zaralyn Bernardo-Santos, RPsy, a licensed psychologist, university professor, and valued Narra Buddy, the session created a safe, judgment-free space where seafarers and their families could explore communication patterns, build emotional awareness, and develop practical strategies for staying connected across distance.
The workshop covered three core areas that resonate deeply with the seafaring experience. First, participants explored their own communication styles (passive, aggressive, or assertive) and practiced shifting toward healthier assertiveness, grounded in the Filipino concept of dama at damdam: balancing emotional sensitivity with genuine respect in family dynamics.
Second, the group tackled emotional boundaries, exploring why they matter, how to navigate the role shifts that come with a seafarer returning home on vacation, and how to maintain both connection and healthy space while apart. Third, participants practiced active listening and empathy techniques specifically adapted for the realities of communicating through calls, chats, and limited connection time.
From Theory to Practice
What made the day truly come alive was the role-playing activity, where participants stepped into realistic scenarios drawn from seafarer life: navigating conflict during vacation adjustments, working through parenting disagreements when one partner is on board, managing misunderstandings caused by delayed replies, and handling financial or decision-making tensions across distance. These exercises gave families a chance to rehearse new skills in a supportive environment before applying them in their daily lives.
Participants walked away with practical communication tools tailored to their reality, clearer strategies for setting boundaries with care, and a deeper sense of empathy and emotional connection with their partners and families.
Why Preventative Mental Health for OFWs Matters
Our visit to Bacolod reinforced what we see across all our programs: when holistic mental health care is culturally relevant and genuinely accessible, people show up. While traditional employee assistance programs in the Philippines often see engagement rates of just 3 to 5%, Narra Health consistently achieves engagement around 80%. That gap isn’t about willingness. It’s about designing mental health services for OFWs and seafarers that truly resonate with the communities they serve.
As we continue our partnership with KRBS Group, we remain committed to advancing preventative mental health support within the maritime industry. Together, we’re working to ensure that every seafarer and their family has access to the holistic mental health resources they need to thrive, both at sea and at home.
Narra Health is a mental health company in the Philippines that believes preventative, holistic care is key to building a healthier, happier nation. Whether you are a seafarer, an OFW, or an organization looking to support your people, we’re here to help. Reach out to learn more about our culturally sensitive, evidence-based approach to mental health care for OFWs and seafarers.
