Originally Posted by
VinRouge
Time for an alternative and independent mental health service for crews?........ There has to be a mechanism provided that gives individuals the potential for greater protection in the industry through what could be caused by a run of bad luck.
Originally Posted by
b8361811
Could someone from the industry please tell us if there are any consequences for your medical if you ask for help because you feel severly depressed?
Originally Posted by
Kerosene
It is truly remarkable that we have such elaborate schemes for maintenance and the verification of our technical skills, but no system such as supervision to help us with the psychological challenges of our work and lives.
All of you gents are on to what this conversation should be focused on - not reinforced cockpit doors, nor minimum crew numbers on the flight deck during lav breaks. It is the giant elephant in the room and he's not going away anytime soon.
I am referring to mental health issues, anti-depressant treatments and substance abuse including alcoholism (the only legal one). Once you've admitted to any of these conditions and seek out treatment, you are guaranteed, at least in the US, of losing your job. You might get your 1st Class Medical back eventually, but no airline will hire you.
It is a catch-22. Need help, fine, we might even help you pay for it, but you're done flying for a living, buddy. It's a strange and dysfunctional policy led by liability concerns aka money.
As mentioned by a previous poster, even your personal LOL insurance has specific clauses preventing payout in cases of mental health disorders. Why? Again, money, of course. Insurers are in business to make money. I suppose a policy without such a clause might be underwritten (ALPA) but the cost would likely be enormous compared to any payout down the road.