‘If you aren’t lying, you aren’t flying.’ Airline pilots hide mental health struggles

BLUF

US Commercial airline pilots often conceal mental health conditions for fear that disclosing could mean having their license pulled. This is an unnecessary risk to passengers, themselves and others and is a timely reminder that there are numerous avenues of help available.

Learning outcomes:

• Describe why some people avoid seeking mental health care.
• Describe the risks in aviation if mental health care is avoided.
• Describe some of the mental health strategies available within commercial aviation.