US commander says mental health a 'priority' on USS Lincoln

The top US military commander in the Middle East has said mental health is a "priority" on the warship USS Lincoln, following reports of difficult conditions on board the long-deployed ship.

After visiting the vessel on Saturday, Adm Brad Cooper said it had "among the lowest number of cases related to mental health" out of 11 active US aircraft carriers.

But he acknowledged that Navy service at sea for long periods was "uniquely challenging and tough".

The ship arrived in the Middle East in January and has been supporting the US war against Iran, including the blockade on Iranian ports. It has spent a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days.

The USS George Washington is currently heading to replace the USS Lincoln and could arrive in the region in about a week.

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

Adm Cooper said in a statement on Sunday: "I've long believed that mental health is another aspect of individual health and requires our attention just like physical health and spiritual health.

"I applaud Lincoln's leadership for... stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority."