Why Pilots Don't Want To Talk About Mental Health

Pilots get anxiety and depression just like many of the rest of us do, but they seem less likely to seek support and treatment. Why? How can we change it?

[Illustration by Amy Jo Sledge]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots frequently hide mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety, due to fear of losing their careers and medical certificates, exacerbated by strict FAA regulations on conditions and permitted medications.
Research indicates a significant number of pilots avoid seeking healthcare or withhold information from examiners, though experts note that actual loss of medical certification for seeking help is rare and often exaggerated.
The aviation industry is evolving, with airlines developing confidential employee assistance programs and peer support groups, while universities are also establishing similar initiatives for student pilots to address increasing mental health concerns.
There is a growing movement to destigmatize mental health issues within aviation, encouraging open conversations, sharing recovery stories, and emphasizing that seeking help is crucial for well-being and typically does not lead to career termination.

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An airline captain flies long-haul on heavy equipment for an international carrier. He’s at the top of his game—both professionally and personally, with a young family and a successful side business that keeps him busy and fulfilled even on his days off.

“Pilots believe that being vulnerable, and sharing feelings or struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, would be at best humiliating or embarrassing, and, at worst, the end of their flying career.”