Fed Air Surgeon Susan Northrup Discusses Outcome

Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, PhD, discussed on the FAA’s YouTube channel “Pilot Minute” what came out of the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on mental health.

Their work was informed through feedback gathered from aviation and medical professionals around the world regarding the barriers that prevent or hinder pilots from reporting and seeking treatment for mental health concerns.

The ARC working groups looked at these major issues:

• The FAA's handling of mental health diagnoses,
• Current aeromedical mental health screening processes,
• Barriers preventing pilots/controllers from reporting mental health issues and seeking mental health care, and
• Education, training, and awareness of pilot/controller mental health issues

The committee identified seven barriers to seeking care and the following outlines the agency’s plans and recommendations to address them.

1. Culture of Wellness: Promote a culture that normalizes mental health care and reporting by using peer support programs with industry wide collaboration.

2. Trust: Increase transparency in decision making, streamlining processes, and expanding the authority of AMEs to improve trust.

3. Fear: Goal to lower fear through minimizing the impact of seeking help by shortening wait times for specific drugs, using non-punitive disclosure methods, and reducing stabilization wait times.

4. Stigma: Pilots will be encouraged to seek help without stigma or dishonor through educational campaigns and peer led support initiatives.

5. Financial: Proportionate screening, reducing neuropsychologic testing, and clear guidance on costs can help address the financial burden.

6. Process: FAA is modernizing systems for electronic submissions and improved experience for applicants.

7. Knowledge Gaps: FAA will enhance communications regarding medical requirements, create user manuals for applicants, and provide more and improved training for AMEs.

The full report is available on the FAA website.

FMI:  www.faa.gov/