Mental health and crew resource management

by Mathieu Meunier, Manager, Ground training for an airline, and human factors graduate

Mental health week in Canada was held from May 5 to 11. For several years now, these awareness days have reminded me of a tragic event that radically changed the world of aviation. In 2015, while alone in the cockpit, a Germanwings co-pilot deliberately steered the Airbus he was piloting into a mountain in the French Alps. The investigation concluded that the co-pilot [translation] “was experiencing mental disorders with psychotic symptoms” (Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile, 2016). Since that fateful day, considerable attention has been paid to mental health issues and their impact on air transportation safety.

Despite much progress, the subject is still taboo 10 years after the Germanwings accident. Everyone agrees that certain mental disorders are not compatible with the profession of pilot, and that optimal mental health enhances flight safety. The issue becomes complex, however, when a pilot suffers in silence and needs help, particularly in the aviation industry, where there are many obstacles to consulting a medical professional.

Some aviation professionals claim that stigmatization, fear of losing their job and status, and lack of resources are reasons that prevent them from getting the support they need. Many hesitate to talk to a doctor about their situation, for fear of “losing” their medical certificate. A study of healthcare avoidance among Canadian pilots (Patel et al., 2023) found that for 72% of respondents, consulting a doctor was a source of concern, which could result in a postponement of medical visits or simply a decision not to consult professionals. In other words, asking for help when your livelihood depends on a medical certificate is easier said than done. In the context of a safety management system, this point needs to be raised, and team resource management courses would, in my opinion, be an excellent forum for tackling the subject.

Over the years, these courses (mandatory since 2020 for commercial air operators covered by subparts 702, 703, 704 and 705) have been adapted to reflect technological advances and recommendations published during accident investigations. By the same token, I believe that mental health issues should also be given a prominent place. A number of reports echo this and recommend the integration of mental health education programs for aviation personnel.

Many of the topics covered in these courses are already directly or indirectly related to mental health: stress, pressure, fatigue, etc. Examining best practices and, above all, dispelling the myths surrounding mental health in relation to aviation, in an open and relaxed atmosphere, could make a significant difference in terms of destigmatization and awareness raising.

The Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Professional’s Guide to Wellbeing (PDF, 3.2 MB), published in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is an excellent starting point for tackling the subject. Available in several languages, it presents simple, concrete tools that set a framework for “managing” one’s mental health.

At the same time, the industry is launching numerous initiatives through peer support programs. Coupled with effective awareness-raising, these initiatives will inevitably result in a safer environment and a better understanding of mental health in the aviation context.

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