The Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee operating under the auspices of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently delivered its comprehensive recommendations. As of April 1, 2024, the committee issued an extensive report addressing the critical issue of mental health in aviation.
How about this: The recent report from the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee, operating under the guidance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), marks a significant step forward in addressing mental health within the aviation industry. Released on April 1, 2024, the report presents a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities related to mental health in aviation.
The Aviation Rulemaking Committee working groups addressed the following issues:
- The FAA’s handling of mental health diagnoses
- Current aeromedical mental health screening processes
- Barriers preventing pilots/controllers from reporting mental health issues and seeking mental healthcare
- Education, training, and awareness of pilot/controller mental health issues
As noted in the report, “1 in 5 US adults has a diagnosable mental health condition, and more than 50% will experience some occurrence over the course of their lifetimes.”
Pilots and air traffic controllers are not immune to the dangers of mental health impairments and some studies have shown that up to 12% of airline pilots show signs of mild depression at any given time, which we can assume similarly affects business aviation pilots and air traffic controllers.
The FAA’s existing processes allow for the use of medications to manage mental health conditions. However, the time-consuming nature of the medical recertification process, combined with the stigma of reporting mental health issues, presents significant barriers, discouraging individuals from seeking or disclosing necessary treatment. This situation is exacerbated by inconsistencies in the clinical definitions applied by the FAA, insurers, and the experiences with Aviation Medical Examiners.
However, the report makes headway in recommending significant changes to medical recertifications. These recommendations emphasize the establishment of a non-punitive disclosure route for mental health conditions and treatments. It calls for an overhaul and ongoing assessment of the reporting and certification criteria for psychotherapy, encompassing treatments for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
The Committee’s 24 recommendations highlight several key actions:
- Revision of FAA policy and medical application guidelines to permit pilots and controllers to engage in psychotherapy without mandatory disclosure during aeromedical evaluations.
- Establishment of a non-punitive route for disclosing previously unreported mental health conditions, treatments, or medications.
- The creation and enhancement of Peer Support Programs (PSP) within the aviation industry.
- Provision for pilots and controllers involved with a PSP to access mental health care without stringent reporting and grounding requirements.
- Reduction of the mandated neurocognitive testing for aviation professionals.
- Implementation of a regular evaluation process to ensure that the FAA’s policies, aeromedical screening protocols, and mental health risk controls adhere to Safety Management System (SMS) principles.
- Release of practical medical certification and clearance guidelines for applicants.
The committee’s efforts mark a significant step towards altering the aviation industry’s perception of mental health care. Traditionally, fear has deterred aviation professionals from seeking help, including fear of grounding, jeopardizing their careers, and appearing vulnerable.
The recommendations advocate a safety management strategy, aiming to gain the trust of aviation professionals and to foster a culture where seeking mental health support is not only accepted but encouraged. This cultural shift could be vital for ensuring the reliable and safe operation of aviation activities.
