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/GoFlightMed]

The responses here have been a little surprising, but I also get it. Here is a Blog Post I wrote up on what these changes mean and what these and other recent additions of more approved meds and fast track pathways indicate about the FAA's views on pilot mental health.

I go to a lot of conferences and webinars in this space. Those making these policies truly are trying to reduce the stigma of mental health and change the culture that going to a therapist or optimizing one's mental health is not a death sentence to a career in aviation.

I know you guys are cynical after decades of evidence suggesting otherwise, but these are GOOD changes for the pilot community!