The Crucial Role of Mental Health in Aviation
It’s interesting how in the modern era of instant information, and a 24 hour news cycle, some of the most important topics go from headlines to forgotten about in no time at all. All it takes is for the next “world ending” topic to pop up for most people to move on. Such has been the case with mental health in aviation.
Flying is exhilarating, no doubt about it. There is nothing that compares with the thrill of flying. But behind the glamour and thrill lies a realm where mental fortitude is just as crucial as technical skill. As pilots, we bear immense responsibilities not only for the safety of our passengers but also for our own well-being up in the skies.
I regularly hear people talk about how pilots are all Type A personalities, and generally I would agree with that based on the true definition. However, it can sometimes be interpreted as being overconfident, full of ego, unwilling to admit their mistakes or take correction, and other less than desirable traits. One of the more dangerous traits that can be associated with that personality is a sense of invulnerability.
From the early days of our training we are taught about this being one of the five hazardous attitudes in aviation, and frankly in any pursuit, but I don’t think I have ever seen it talked about in the context of mental health. While we regularly talk about being physically prepared to fly, it is only in recent years I have even heard it mentioned about a pilot’s mental preparedness to fly.
While attending Air Force pilot training I had the unfortunate occurrence of a friend dying in a plane crash overseas. It hit me pretty hard, and in a lot of ways I really didn’t know how to react. To the credit of my flight commander and instructors, they encouraged me to take the time I needed, while at the same time leaving much of the decision making up to me. Over the ensuing days I participated in some training events, and cancelled others that I didn’t feel I was in a safe position to handle. It was a great reminder to me of how to make safe decisions, while at the same time allowing a pilot to develop their own decision making abilities.
As a flight instructor myself now, with students that are just getting into aviation, I have been able to demonstrate empathy towards my students when they are struggling, and help them to develop the ability to understand the state of their own mental health. No one should ever be forced to fly if they don’t feel they are in the right mental state to do so. Of equal importance is understanding the mental challenges you will inevitably have to push through on any given day.
Rare is the day that there is not some level of stress on our minds. Part of becoming a pilot is learning what you can handle, and what you can’t. Handling that stress can take many forms, but learning to compartmentalize stress is one of the most important forms, and is a skill that will serve anyone well. By mentally separating your daily stress from the task of flying, you can learn to focus on critical tasks to ensure a safe flight. This is not the same as suppressing feelings or stress for months at a time and simply ignoring it, hoping that it will disappear all by itself. This is about learning to set certain stressors aside while you finish one task, and then picking them back up when it is time to deal with them again.
Like every other part of being a pilot, having strong mental health is not something that will just “come with time”. We have to work on our mental health, and our ability to manage it well.
So, what can we do to prioritize our mental health in aviation? Here are some actionable tips:
- Self-awareness is Key: Take the time to recognize and acknowledge your own mental state. Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or fatigued? Ignoring these signs can compromise your ability to fly safely. Don’t hesitate to seek support from mental health professionals if needed. The stigma of seeking out help is slowly eroding, but even with the stigma, you are always better off putting your mental health above being forced into an unsafe situation.
- Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with a strong support system both within and outside the aviation community. Having colleagues, friends, or mentors to lean on during challenging times can provide invaluable perspective and assistance. Their perspective can be invaluable when you are too blind to see your own struggles. Being a part of a strong community means helping them with their struggles as well. I can promise you that you will never regret looking out for a friend that is struggling.
- Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to stay grounded and focused. Whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking moments of quiet reflection, mindfulness can help alleviate stress and enhance mental clarity. Charlie Hoehn wrote an excellent book called Play it Away which gives valuable insights into the impact of even simple things like a short game of catch, or sitting quietly in your car for 10-15 minutes to decompress and get your mind right.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Prioritize regular exercise, nutritious eating habits, and sufficient sleep to ensure your mind and body are operating at their best. There is a reason that rules have been put in place to ensure rest periods and other dynamics of a healthy physical lifestyle. Hopefully, we will start to see more rules that support real mental health improvements.
- Know When to Step Back: If you’re not feeling mentally fit to fly, don’t hesitate to step back and prioritize your well-being. Remember, it’s better to delay a flight than to jeopardize safety due to compromised mental health. I tell every student I fly with that I really only have one goal on each flight, and that is to land safely and go home to my family. There is never a reason to push when you are not up for it.
As pilots, we carry the responsibility not only for the aircraft but also for our own mental well-being. By prioritizing mental health, we not only enhance our own capabilities but also contribute to a safer and more resilient aviation industry. Sadly, this may mean taking a stand that unjustly paints you in a bad light, or could even cost you your job, but in the long run, you will always be better off taking care of your mental health first.