The FAA is making strides in removing roadblocks for pilots struggling with mental health issues but work remains to dispel some of the myths associated with these issues, said Doug Carr, NBAA's senior v-p of safety, security, sustainability, and international operations.
Mental health is “one topic that permeates most of aviation,” Carr told AIN. In fact, the topic is being addressed today at NBAA-BACE as part of the association’s National Safety Forum with a session entitled “What’s on Your Mind, Literally? Mental Health and Wellness in Aviation.”
This session is designed to provide a deeper look into the medical and regulatory landscape surrounding mental health issues, as well as folding these issues and wellness in general into risk-management plans.
Regarding mental health, Carr said, “We believe there is a great opportunity to provide solid direction for pilots and others who need a medical certificate to do their jobs—provide them with much more clarity on what it means to get help, to get help that keeps you safe, that keeps you healthy, that keeps you alive while reducing risk.”
Following the “rumor-mill” world, he said, pilots fear these issues will put their livelihood at risk. They worry about what will happen if they talk to someone to work through these issues. Therapy visits might require insurance, insurance might require a diagnosis, and a diagnosis is what they fear could risk their medical.
“That is what leads to many pilots self-medicating or self-diagnosing…and remaining in a flying status with a condition that really should be treated,” Carr said. As such, “people avoid getting the help that they need, and we need to correct that. We need healthy, smart, trained pilots on the flight deck.”
Carr does believe progress is being made on this front. “A lot of this, I think, falls at the feet of the FAA," he said. "The federal air surgeon, Dr. Susan Northrup, has done a tremendous job in tackling this issue head-on.”
This includes providing guidance to address what it means to get help, along with giving air medical examiners more latitude to certify pilots who previously would have required additional FAA review.
“I think that's where change is starting to be felt, [also] with the FAA expanding the number of approved medications that pilots can be on…That's where we are seeing some real leadership coming from the FAA on getting ahead of this.”
Carr cautioned that change will take more than action by the federal air surgeon. It will require the support of the entire community.
“But knowing that this is a priority for the FAA and for the federal air surgeon I think makes the work a little easier for the rest of us who are on the front lines, talking with members, talking with pilots about what's really at stake if you need to put your hand up and say I need help,” he concluded.