Psychological implications for air transportation article pdf available in the british journal of psychiatry 19. Carina is a practicing psychologist with more than twelve years experience of working in the aviation industry. International civil aviation organization electronic bulletin for information only eb 20 1253 2 n ovember 2012 pilot mental health 1. Federal aviation administration faa sets requirements for aeromedical examiners ames to evaluate fitness of pilots. Many americans are affected by psychological stressors in their every day lives. Easa published today a proposal to the european commission on new operational rules to better support pilot mental fitness. Pilots especially are perceived as made of the right stuff. The proponent of this regulation is the surgeon general. Pilot fitness arc recommendation report federal aviation. Pilot mental health has, hitherto, been regarded as a specialist topic in aviation medicine. The use of psychotropic medications and fitness to fly.
In december 2016, the international civil aviation organization icao issued a working paper to convene a task force that is charged with analysis of recent aviation accidents in which a mental health condition was cited as a causal factor. Airplane pilot mental health and suicidal thoughts. This topic gained more attention after the 2015 germanwings crash, which was deliberately caused by the planes copilot. If stable, resolved, no associated disturbance of thought, no recurrent episodes, and. Mental health as an aviation safety consideration legal. Piloting aviation mental healthcare medical xpress. Submit all pertinent medical information and clinical status report. Aviation mental health occupational medicine oxford. The availability and access to mental health services for. The stigma surrounding mental health issues among pilots seems to be a current topic in aviation, yet being open and honest is seen as a weakness, rather than a strength.
This topic gained more attention after the 2015 germanwings crash. Consequently, practitioners and researchers alike have been forced to consult specialist journals or seek out a relevant chapter on this topic in a general textbook to develop or update their. Mental health in aviation magnitude of mental health problems disorders in aviation unknown mental health influenced by various personal and occupational factors majority of mental disorders probably related to depression anxiety alcohol and drug dependence being. Robert bor is a professor of psychology, founder of clinical and corporate psychology consultancy dcc and coauthor of 2008 book aviation mental health ashgate more on these topics. Mental health in aviation is a major concern among airlines, regulators, and passengers. Similarly, we recommend that aircrew, their families and. Human factors and factor of the human pilot performance and pilot mental health. In the latter category, shortduration space flight could be considered as a progression from aircrew selection methods. Pdf aviation mental health download full pdf book download. Overall incidences of physical disease increases significantly with age 3. Hints for detecting mental health problems during routine clinical examination dr david jones 25k.
Following a march 27, 2012, incident in which a pilot of a. The aviation rulemaking committee arc found no convincing data to conclude that adding psychological testing to the hiring. The toolkit we offer can and should be used on a regular basis. Extending and developing the ideas of aviation mental health 2006, which described a range of psychological issues and problems that may affect pilots and the consequences of these, this book presents an authoritative, comprehensive and practical guide to modern, evidencebased practice in the field of mental health assessment, treatment and. Figure1 if you are looking for a book to read on a long haul flight, this is not the one. She has conducted extensive research into pilot and cabin crew mental health. However, emphasis on awareness and screening for mental health stressors and predictable mental health conditions should include or reference proven screening tools and approaches cover private, civil, and military aviation maintain an international perspective acknowledge pilotame culture issues. Mental health mental health special issuance certification for depression with antidepressant usage effective april 5, 2010, the faa began considering individuals for special issuance medical certification who are being treated for depression with one of four specific antidepressant medications. The most frequently used selfreports of mental workload in aviation are the subjective workload assessment technique papa and stoliker, 1988 and the nasatask load index bittner et al, 1989. Globally, 350 million people suffer from depressiona common mental disorder. Strengthening mental health in civil aviation icao. Underreporting of mental health symptoms and diagnoses is probable among airline pilots due to the public stigma of mental illness and fear among pilots of being grounded or not fit for duty. Aerospace medicine and psychiatry mdedge psychiatry.
This study provides further information on this important topic. However, the editors have gone further and included chapters on the legal aspects of mental health in aviation and the selection of astronauts. Categories aviation, mental health, nioshfunded research new niosh training offers fatigue management for pilots in the land of the midnight sun for a pilot working in western alaska, the amount of daylight during their work day can vary as much as 14 hours between the summer and winter solstice or more the farther north you go. Mental health in aviation safety in african aviation. The mental health of aviation workers is a major concern for airlines, regulators and passengers because psychological problems among pilots are a threat to flight safety and the outcome of deteriorating mental health can be catastrophic as was the case with the recent. An aviation professionals guide to wellbeing april 2020 page 236 r egardless of its technical nature, the aviation industry is founded on its numerous. Counseling, depression and psychological support amas. Ames do not diagnose mental health conditions see additional file 1 for more details. This is the first study to describe airline pilot mental. Waivers for mental disorders in the aviation components of. This study provides further information on this important topic regarding mental health especially among female airline pilots. The goal is to assess physical and mental health factors to mitigate risks, protect public safety, and ensure the aviators wellbeing. Sources of stress vary widely ranging from arguments with family members, pressure from bosses and management, urgent deadlines to meet, unrealistic workloads, financial difficulties or the prolonged illness or death of a loved one.
Washington one year after an intentional germanwings plane crash, the federal aviation administration announced steps thursday to encourage pilots. Faa encourages pilots to seek mental health treatment. An introduction find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Focus on mental health 3rd mpsg guiding principles. Physical incapacitation is a rare cause of accidents in twopilot aircraft undertaking commercial flight operations 2. Counseling, depression and psychological support introduction. Ensuring that all pilots have access to a support programme. Independent nonprofit innovative erik lely, msc clinical psychology. In many states, the incidence of mental health problems, such as. Although data regarding aviation mental health is sparse, what is available suggests mental health issues are among the greatest contributing factors to. Mental health issues have always been a risk factor of concern to civil aviation regulators all over the globe. Training for pilots to improve in summary, the aerospace medical association does aerospace medical association ad hoc working group. This text covers a wide range of contemporary mental health issues that affect airline pilots, as well as others who work in the industry.
European union aviation safety agency acceptable means of compliance amc and guidance material gm to partmed medical requirements for air crew issue 2 28 january 2019 1 1 for the date of entry into force of this issue, kindly refer to decision 2019002r in the official publication of the agency. The proponent has the authority to change, approve exceptions or waivers to this regulation that are consistent. Aviation personnel who are diagnosed with a mental health problem are. An ame may ask questions about psychological conditions as part of hisher assessment pilots must disclose all existing physical and psychological conditions and medications or face significant fines if they are found to have falsified information. Easas proposal is part of its action plan following the germanwings flight 9525 accident released in a document known as an opinion opinion 142016, the proposals include the following new requirements. Mental health problems are nearing epidemic levels in the developed world. However, some mental health problems may only emerge between periodical medical examinations. We recognize that there are no simple solutions, that testing for mental illness. Consequently, practitioners and researchers alike have been forced to consult specialist journals or seek out a relevant chapter on this topic in a general textbook to develop or update their understanding of the relevant issues. How do airlines monitor the mental health of pilots. The licensing implications of mental health issues are addressed in depth.
There are many different causes of mental illness in pilots but, as of now, there is almost no action taken to try and combat this issue. Only through selfdisclosure are mental disorders discussed and noted in pilot health records. The faa medical application form includes questions pertaining to the mental health of the pilot. Aviation personnel mental health and wellbeing pdf view download. People often think that mental health is only for people who belong in mental hospitals or have an abnormality, which is incorrect. Individuals with chronic physical illness are more likely than other people to suffer from. Mental health screening in aviators asma recommendations. In these situations, it is important that the pilot has rapid and direct access to competent and confidential care by specialist doctors and psychologists familiar with the unique requirements of aviation medicine and aviation mental health.