Its one of the benefits of working for a smaller outfit and regularly flying with the same characters, you can spot if someone has a shift in personality, its usually either work stress, family or relationship based.
The military for obvious reasons, have trauma risk management trained individuals embedded in our staff as a secondary role. Interesting that most individuals taking absence do so as a result of family issues or other home life issues other than exposure to the stuff that goes with the military. They are not trained healthcare professionals but line pilots , copilots and crew who have been given training to identify subtle changes in individual.
Two things need to change:
The attitude of aircrew to aviation medics and in particular reticence to admit mental health issues needs to change.
There also needs to be regulatory protection to allow individuals time off if they need it. Harsh rosters believe are a key cause of mental health issues due to numerous circadian rhythm changes and day/night shift, particularly on long night sectors without augment.
All said from outside the civilian sphere granted. How you manage this in the civilian market will be much more difficult due to the size of organizations. Being taken off the line for mental health should be viewed no differently to blocked ears; very often the time off required is comparable. Until a change in culture and attitude occurs, we will be carrying the same risk with no effective barriers in place.
Good luck explaining that to the Daily Mail/Express and other hack toilet paper rags.