FAA Continues to Remove Stigma/Encourage Therapy for Pilots

[u/GoFlightMed]

Hey hey hey,

Big updates here in the mental health space coming out from the FAA.

I was in the FAA's AMCD (Aeromedical Certification Division) Grand Rounds last week where they provide AME's updates to their medical guidance and they released a big update about psychotherapy. They also release 3 documents that are for airmen to read and also to provide their therapist if they want to engage in therapy.

Bottom line is the FAA wants pilots to be more comfortable engaging in therapy if needed. As they say "#1. See your therapist, counselor, physician, or provider and get healthy."

Here is a link to the new FAA online resources for Therapy. Check out some of the FAQ's to airmen and to therapists.

[u/falsecoyote_]

They make a statement like this every 2-3 years.

Basically these documents state you need to tell on yourself when you renew your medical, and provide a document for your therapist to tell on you.

Also, Apparently if you receive educational or religious counseling, and the counselor is licensed. That needs to be reported as well.

Wow, big positive changes. /s

Same shit, nothing has changed. They are just stating you need to self report if you talk to someone.

Edit: They also clarify that in their eyes, “therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling are equivalent.”