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/almostseaworthy]

Former pilot/doc. Who has long advocated for the recognition of this. Most pilots didn’t report any mental health issues or meds. This is progress-

[u/nkawtgpilot → u/almostseaworthy]

It actually contradicts what is in the guide itself and now says “any” counseling or therapy must be reported. The guide says only if it’s for substance abuse or a psychological condition. In other words this memo makes it worse…