US Navy Faces Mental Health Crisis as Sailors Spend Months at Sea Without Break

The US military commander in the Middle East has spoken out about mental health on a warship that has been deployed for an extended period.

Adm. Brad Cooper visited the USS Lincoln, saying it had one of the lowest rates of mental health issues among 11 active US aircraft carriers.

However, he acknowledged that life at sea for long periods is 'uniquely challenging' and 'tough'.

The ship has been in the Middle East since January and has been supporting the US war against Iran, including a blockade on Iranian ports. It has spent over 240 days at sea without a break.

The USS George Washington is set to replace the USS Lincoln and could arrive in the region within a week.

Read More: Ghana Leads Push for Reparations from Nations That Benefited from Slavery

Family members of sailors on board have expressed concerns about their mental health deteriorating due to the conditions, with some having reportedly attempted to jump overboard.

'Mental health is another aspect of individual health that requires our attention,' Adm. Cooper said. 'I applaud Lincoln's leadership for stepping up and making mental health a priority.'

The US Navy has faced criticism over supply challenges on the ship, including poor sanitation, broken plumbing, and shortages of fresh food.

Thirteen Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, criticising the length of the deployment as 'a modern-day record' and demanding answers.

Last week, Hegseth denied reports of mental health issues on the ship, calling them 'completely misrepresented'. President Donald Trump also dismissed suggestions that sailors had been at sea for too long, saying 'not nearly long enough'.