Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk says spending six months in a tiny capsule in space is a bit like being trapped in a caved-in mine in Chile – but with a few key differences.

"The miners' plight is different from mine was last year aboard the station," Thirsk told CTV's Canada AM From Houston, Tex. Tuesday. "I had a very ambitious research program and maintenance program to fulfill. The miners weren't planning for this extended stay."

"So monotony will be one issue they will face. And unexpected separation from loved ones on the surface is another," Thirsk said.

The 33 miners have been trapped for close to a month already in the San Jose gold and copper mine near the town of Copiapo. They may have to remain underground for three more months, as they wait for workers on the surface to drill an escape tunnel.

Now NASA is offering to help. The U.S. space agency is sending a team of doctors and scientists to lend expertise on how to help the miners deal with being stuck in their cramped, isolating conditions.

NASA deputy chief medical officer Michael Duncan said the team will be offering advice in the areas of "nutritional support" and "behavioral health support."

"Environments may well be different, but human response — both in physiology and behavior responses to emergencies — is quite similar," he said in a NASA TV broadcast. "So we think that some of the things we've learned in research or in operations can be applicable to the miners that are trapped underground."

A NASA engineer, a psychologist and a second medical doctor will accompany Duncan to the disaster scene..

Chilean officials say that some of the miners are showing signs of suffering from depression. Last week, when a grainy video of the bearded and nearly naked men was released showing them talking and cheering for the cameras, at least five of the men refused to go on camera, as they dealt with the stress of their new reality.

Chilean health minister Jaime Mañalich said the men were isolating themselves and not eating well.

"I would say depression is the correct word," he said at the time.

Thirsk says he thinks that in order to keep the miners' spirits up, rescue workers should try to maintain constant contact.

"I would recommend if they could keep in good communication with their family and friends and if we can make life busy and interesting for them, they're going to get through this four months."

He says while the miners are likely concerned about their basic necessities, like fresh air, food and water, they're likely thinking more about their loved ones than their own fate right now. So what they need is as much contact as possible with people on the surface, he said.

"Perhaps they can talk with some celebrities in Chile or around the world so they can tell them they're interested in their situation," Thirsk advised.

"The small things, like music and even diversity of food will make an incredible difference to them. They're living in a basic mode and the small things are very important."