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Barriers To Mental Health Seeking Among Army Aviation Personnel: A Preliminary Report, Aric J. Raus

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

This research explores barriers to mental health seeking, self-reported symptoms, and perspectives on self-help mental-wellness options among U.S. Army Aviation Personnel. Safe aviation operations require constant focus and mental clarity. These requirements expand when considering the implications and added stress of military operations, especially in combat scenarios. Yet, recent studies demonstrate that aviation personnel avoid seeking healthcare due to fears of losing their medical certification. This report provides preliminary results from the first known study on barriers to mental health seeking among U.S. Army aviation personnel. Utilizing an anonymous survey instrument, facilitated primarily through Social Media recruiting of current and …

Understanding Collegiate Aviation Pilot Mental Performance Studies And Future Research Opportunities, Debra Henneberry, Stephanie Brown, Flavio Coimbra, Julius Keller

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (2022), fatigue is defined as “a condition characterized by increased discomfort with lessened capacity for work, reduced efficiency of accomplishment, loss of power or capacity to respond to stimulation, and is usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness and tiredness” (p. 2). Further outcomes of fatigue include tiredness, weakness, lack of energy, lethargy, depression, and lack of motivation (ICAO, 2016). Stress can release cortisol which can in turn cause sleep issues leading to fatigue (Harvard, 2021). In one study Mendonca, Keller, and Albelo (2023) found 69% (n = 192) percent of collegiate aviation pilots …

A Structured Program For Pilots And Traffic Controllers With Mental Issues., Ian Blair Fries M.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

A Structured Program for Pilots and Traffic Controllers with Mental Issues.

by Ian Blair Fries, M.D. Senior HIMS AME, MRO, SAP.

Many pilots and controllers are avoiding appropriate mental care that would have to be reported to the FAA, or omitting required notification of mental care they have received. Either option is detrimental to air safety and personal health.

I propose a structured aviation program to handle mental issues similar to the HIMS Program for pilots with alcohol and/or drug abuse and dependence. The HIMS Program is extremely successful with about 85 percent of pilots who participate recovering and returning …