Hundreds of pilots flying with clinical depression
Hundreds of commercial pilots might be flying with untreated clinical depression due to fears of losing their jobs, according to a new study.
The anonymous survey found that 12.6% of pilots from more than 50 countries met the depression threshold, and 4.1% – 75 – had suicidal thoughts.
Around 3,500 pilots responded to the Airline Pilot Health Study, with 1,848 completing questions about their mental health.
"Hundreds of pilots currently flying are managing depression, even suicidal thoughts, without the possibility of treatment due to the fear of negative career impacts," the researchers said.
Pilots diagnosed with acute depression will be deemed unable to fly, but the study warns some cover up their symptoms for fear of losing their jobs and it claimed there was a ‘veil of secrecy’ around mental health problems in the profession.
The study began last year after a Germanwings’ pilot deliberately crashed his plane into a mountain, killing 149 people. It later emerged that he had received treatment for mental health issues and declared unfit to work, but due to German confidentiality rules, the information wasn’t shared with the airline.
Responding to the survey results announced today, the British Airline Pilots’ Association, which represents almost 10,000 UK pilots, said it was necessary to have ‘good systems for ensuring pilots could raise such issues freely and without stigma’.
Head of flight safety Dr Rob Hunter said: "BALPA’s experience is that levels of depression that could trigger suicidal thoughts are rare among pilots and certainly not as high as this survey seems to suggest.
"Pilots are generally in good physical and mental health as indeed they need to be.
"However, the Germanwings tragedy showed that it is better to have an open and honest culture that allows any mental health issues to be discussed and addressed rather than to have them hidden away.
"BALPA works with UK airlines and the aviation industry towards ensuring the highest standards of health and wellbeing for pilots everywhere."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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