Scuba Diving and Mental Health

The diving community is extremely diverse. We all arrived here and stay here for a variety of reasons.  
Many of us dive to explore, seeing parts of our blue planet that others would never venture. Others have found a true sense of community and belonging, surrounding themselves with underwater enthusiasts. Personally, I dive because it is good for my head. The escapism, the meditative state that slow, controlled breathing and weightlessness can bring has been massively beneficial to my own life, and I try to bring a little of that feeling to the divers I meet and teach.

I am often surprised that the therapeutic side to our diving life is not discussed and explored further. Could diving be seen as an alternative approach to mental health issues?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that: ‘globally 1 out of every 4 people will be impacted by mental illness at some point in their lives’[1].
It is estimated that in Europe alone, ‘more than 84 million people in the EU are struggling with mental health problems’[2].
It is widely known that diagnosis and awareness of mental health issues is on the rise. Due to the rise in the use of technology, increase in quick cycle media consumption and a seemingly endless barrage of global conflict and climate issues, this is no surprise. Throw in the recent global pandemic and you have the recipe for a widespread increase in stress and anxiety.
According to the WHO World Mental Health report, ‘depression and anxiety rose 25% in the first year of the pandemic, bringing the total number of people living with a mental disorder to nearly 1 billion people’[3].

Therefore, many of us are looking for answers. Could diving be an effective way to find some serenity in an increasingly stressful world?

Diving has long been used as a tool for relaxation, resulting in similar levels of clarity and calm to meditation. Could this be a useful method to help those suffering with mental health issues?

For myself, the feeling of escapism is a wonderful thing. This was what took me away from the UK initially, and has kept me here all those years after. I longed for a sense of peace that I was struggling to find.
For many of us life is not always easy. We have stressful jobs, complicated situations at home and we are constantly confronted with a range of social issues. For myself, escaping all of these things to spend time in the water saved me. I was unhappy in my work and struggling to find a meaningful place in this world. Diving gave me that.
Before arriving here in Gozo I had started to tell myself that I was not a social person. Now I find teaching, interacting with our guests, other divers, and the close community we have here in Qala one of the most nourishing aspects of my life.
Here in Gozo we are lucky enough to have a beautiful natural environment and be surrounded by the calming influence of the sea. We also have a slow pace of life and a good sense of local community, which lend itself to a healthy life and good mental state. But for me it was my time underwater which allowed me to see this, revaluate my life and prioritise health and happiness moving forward. In the short term, time underwater leaves me feeling mentally revitalised, fresh and awake. In the long term it has given me a completely new outlook on the how best to live my life.

The underwater world is my happy place. This is the case for many of us. If we imagine a place of peace and tranquillity it is not uncommon to picture the sea. For the diving community, that could even mean mentally transporting to their favourite reef.
This idea is echoed by the Diving Research Disease Centre: ‘Scuba diving has long been recognised as a having a positive impact on mental health. In general, outside activities and being fit and active helps to increase energy levels, mental alertness and confidence’[4].
Not only are we staying active, but the effect of neutral buoyancy is extremely low impact, allowing us to dive into our later years. This is also key, as those who stay physically and mentally active are known to be less affected by dementia and similar issues.

The positive effects of diving are perhaps even more tangible to those suffering with not only mental, but physical health issues. Unfortunately, physical health issues often leave people battling with their mental health due to a lack of access to physical activities or inclusion in certain social settings.
In 2023, the academic study by the Therapeutic Scuba Institute, Department of Counselling, Recreation therapy and Department of Psychology in Florida, USA, titled - Diving into Health: A Mixed Methods Study on the Impact of Scuba Diving in People with Physical Impairments[5], found six main themes, showcasing the positive impact that scuba diving has had on those with physical impairments. Those six themes are as follows:

-          ‘Being a scuba diver is a positive social identity that provides me with a sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose.’
-          ‘Scuba diving has contributed positively to my social health through enhanced social relationships and a community that provides me with social support.’
-          ‘Scuba diving has contributed positively to my psychological health by enhancing self-esteem, positive feelings, and relaxation and reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).’
-          ‘Scuba diving has contributed positively to my physical health by offering physical activity/exercise, better mobility, relief from physical pain, and better sleep.’
-          ‘Scuba diving has contributed positively to my self-efficacy by boosting my self-confidence.’
-          ‘Scuba diving has contributed positively to the quality of my life.’

The themes listed above are all crucial to a good quality of life. Purpose, community, relaxation, physical health improvement and confidence are certainly all things that I have cultivated since taking a real active role in the diving community.
Having a real social connection which also brings us such positivity through social activity is a clear recipe for health improvement, both mental and physical.
This type of research and utilisation of diving as treatment will hopefully continue and grow.

I understand that there are certainly issues to enabling widespread use of diving as a therapeutic exercise. This is not a cheap activity, and accessibility will always be a factor with something which requires equipment and facilities. However, I would love to see the mental health benefits of diving shown off to a more widespread audience.
Diving is not just about exploring the beautiful world beneath the surface. It can also be used to vastly improve our quality of life above it.

By understanding mental health, the impact diving can have and the limitations we currently face in delivering a good service to those that could need it most, we may be able to make a more positive impact for a wider range of people in years to come.

Jim Lycett
Blue Waters

[1] https://www.ddrc.org/diving-into-mental-health/    (DDRC: 2023)
[2] https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/7/984       (2023)
[3] https://www.dw.com/en/mental-health-issues-like-depression-and-anxiety-on-the-rise-globally/a-63371304   (WHO: 2022)
[4] https://www.ddrc.org/diving-into-mental-health/    (DDRC: 2023)

[5]https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/7/984       (2023)