Lend A Hand And Mend The Mind

If our aircraft suddenly demonstrates some unwanted mechanical clunks or bumps, we naturally seek a technician to get it evaluated before the condition develops into something more serious or costly; however, often we fail to seek help for the most important part of any aviation operation—ourselves as pilots. Diagnosing machinery and making repairs is a common and necessary action that we tend to do far more diligently and promptly than actions we take for ourselves. And can you ever really tell or feel when there might be a dangerous caution light going undiagnosed in your mind?

Many pilots tend to be very driven, successful individuals who pride themselves on being able to face difficult situations with steel nerves while delicately balancing their skills and ego appropriately to arrive safely at their destinations. Asking for help sometimes feels like revealing an embarrassing weakness, when in fact, it is anything but.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses are quite common and something that a large majority of society faces at some point in our lives. Sadly, while depression is the most common mental issue, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only permits pilots to take one of the six categories of depression medications. And while there are currently seven FDA-approved versions of this medication, the FAA further restricts use for pilots to only four since 2010.

With limited solutions for medications, pilots' mental health often goes untreated for fear of losing their FAA medical certificate. In a recent study which surveyed over 4000 pilots across the United States, it was determined that over 56 percent admitted to avoiding needed health care for fear of FAA reprisals.

But the good news is that with a bit of self-awareness, we can all seek ways to bolster both our physical and mental health. Often, depression can be mitigated through regular exercise, healthier food choices, and a regular routine that involves an appropriate amount of rest. As mental illness is often linked to other physical illnesses, it makes sense to approach our bodies and minds not as separate entities but one, holistic responsibility.

Captain Reyne O'Shaughnessy, a commercial airline pilot for over 34 years, founded her own resource for mental health education and coaching called Piloting to Wellbeing. Realizing the lack of options and willingness for those in high-stress, high-performance careers such as aviation to seek care, she provides various levels of intervention including a complimentary 3-day self-care challenge for those seeking to better their bodies and minds.

The business aviation community can also work together to help each other by maintaining good work environments; creating safe, open spaces for communication; and being more aware of not only ourselves but our coworkers as well. Remember that depression and anxiety are not limited to pilots. Technicians, flight attendants, and schedulers may also be vulnerable to the same mental struggles. Though medication can sometimes help, we realize it is only one tool and perhaps the best tool we have is the courage to seek help when we need, recognize the burden we place upon ourselves and others, and be the friend that others seek when times get tough.

Maybe we even begin to treat mental health like a daily checklist, make personal corrections when needed, and one day begin to change the staggering data suggesting that mental wellness tends to fall along the wayside. Be diligent, be aware, and never be afraid to seek help.