Society in general (not just aviation) needs to re-think how it deals with mental health issues.
The first thing that needs to be acknowledged is that mental health issues can affect
any person at any time. In that respect it is no different to a cold; anyone can become a victim. It can also vary in severity, and thankfully very few people will ever reach the depths of despair that
may have precipitated this weeks tragedy.
Anyone who has ever had a relationship end, suffered financial loss, lost a job, had a loved one pass away suddenly or been the unfortunate victim of an accident (case in point; the young mother who was the subject of the Four Corners report last week) is potentially exposed to mental health problems.
Unfortunately in our industry admitting to these sorts of problems can be a one-way ticket to unemployment. Which leads me to the real crux of the matter - why is it that our regulator and (most, but not all) employers effectively encourage someone hiding such a burden?
Human factors training usually brushes on this sensitive topic, but then hurriedly suggests that anyone who might be under such pressures should seek professional care. Which leads to a terrible choice -
- admit the problem and probably expose yourself to unemployment (at the very least) or financial ruin, or,
- maintain a stiff upper lip and "toughen up".
The choice is one that no-one should ever have to make, especially in our industry.