NTSB Safety Summit - Navigating Mental Health in Aviation (Panel 1)

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy hosted “Navigating Mental Health in Aviation,” on Dec. 6, 2023. ​​The summit brought together safety experts from the aviation industry, academia, the mental health profession, and government to examine the unintended consequences of the current system for evaluating mental fitness in the aviation workforce, identify how we can better support those in the aviation industry, and ultimately make aviation safer for all. The summit was held at the NTSB Boardroom and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC.
More information available at:
www.ntsb.gov/n...

[@anniegirlx7]

My son Brian Wittke was suffering and wanted help so badly but as mentioned here, fear can be paralyzing. He was a first office for Delta and at his funeral after his Suicide, a large number of pilots who flew with him were absolutely shocked to hear what happened…. He kept it a quiet as possible. As family members, we could see what was happening but he was just too afraid of losing his job. He died June 14, 2022. He had a masters degree and loved flying just like his Father and brother who also were/are professional pilots.

[@beenaplumber8379]

The biggest problem with the FAA always seems to be its dual mission of aviation safety and promotion of aviation. That's why they are often so reluctant to adopt NTSB recommendations - because they come with a cost to the airlines. But promoting aviation should also include advocating for pilots. What is aviation without pilots? The FAA seems to prefer adversarial relationships with everyone except the largest corporations. They are adversarial with the NTSB (the true safety experts), and they are adversarial with pilots. In 2003 I had to decide whether to take a Prozac or live in misery except on the weekends when I went flying. I needed to function on my job (college faculty), and it became obvious that I couldn't without help. If I lost my job, I lost everything. In those days, having depression wouldn't ground you, but treating it would. I took the Prozac. I had to. I'm not sure it was a good idea for me to watch this. It's painful to face what I lost. The price they extracted from me for self-care was obscene. Give up your life-long dream. THAT didn't help my depression at all!

[@TeaganLaPointe]

Jennifer Homendy is my hero. I am greatful people are speaking out at a level that "should" have an impact, however I have no faith that the FAA will ACTUALLY make meaningful changes any time soon.

[@PASSNational]

PASS member & pilot Tim Sisk offered to share his story publicly and his union and his family are so proud he did! You shouldn't be afraid to treat your mental health issues because you could lose your job.

[@smedleyx]

This is excellent. Mental wellness will/should certainly be the next major global focus, of a similar or greater magnitude to the current global focus in vogue, climate. Good to start with aviation but mental health obviously applies to all transportation modes and of course to all professions and people. If life can imitate popular art, perhaps Star Trek TNG would be one template, where there was actually a Counselor of high rank available, whose help even the captain sought, and why shouldn't it be this way IRL in this century. Very impressed by the Chair; years ago I could tell she would eventually become Chair but under her watch the NTSB has raised its scope beyond what I expected.

[@kanabcowboys111]

Please push the faa to change their stances on adhd or the medications used to treat it. So many people are thrown into the nightmare, which is the deferral process for a condition no more dangerous than the captain who smokes a cigarette every day.

[@beenaplumber8379]

ADHD could be beneficial in some professions, like ATC. That's why we're talking more about neurodiversity than disorders. The meds to treat it should be a non-issue as the Air Force gives "go pills" to their pilots. Stimulants (at clinical doses) enhance vigilance.

[@claudiacyrankowski1162]

ATC shortages, computer meltdowns, not being able to work after disclosing mental health issues. What else before the aviation field implodes?

[@othername1000]

Getting help ended military service. 8.5yrs into it. Two decades later survivor's guilt still shows up sometimes.

[@mach533x]

We need reform now. Not tomorrow.

[@luism9818]

Parenting causes most mental problems

[@bunglejoy3645]

Parenting doesn't cause most mental problrmns yes some disorders come about thtough childhood issues but that's nit every nrntslly ill person I had a wonderful childhood im not into flying never flown at sll font want to just like watching things about aviation im autistic I put it down to tgat thanks fir raising awareness in general on mrntsl heslth I've experienced a lit of stigma towards my nrntsl geslth expecially in last few years if I get an attitude of stigma from nrighbours where I live aviation definitely will. It's amazing and heartwarming st respectful way mental health can be talked about in all walks of life ie in media neighbour's friends expert's thanks

[@skipperhyle8255]

What a dog and pony show...