The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has launched a monthlong initiative to highlight pilot mental health, bringing together educational content, expert guidance, and advocacy updates throughout May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
The initiative, sponsored by Jeppesen ForeFlight, is designed to address common concerns among pilots, including the fear of losing their medical certificate, the stigma surrounding mental health in aviation, and a lack of clear, actionable information for pilots.
“Mental health remains one of the biggest challenges facing pilots and the aviation industry today,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl. “AOPA has been working on this issue for years. Our advocacy efforts with Congress and the FAA have led to many of the improvements we’ve seen so far, but we still have a long way to go. During this month, we want to highlight what resources are available and that getting help doesn’t always have to mean giving up flying.”
“Mental health does not discriminate—pilot or nonpilot, career airline captain or student pilot—it can affect any of us,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Jill Baker. “The most important thing we want pilots to take away from this month is that they are not alone, and that AOPA stands ready to help our members through the medical certification process. Our Medical Certification Specialists serve tens of thousands of members every year.”
Since May 1, AOPA has released several new resources and articles, including:
- An interview with Xyla Foxlin, a GA pilot who successfully fought to get her medical certificate back.
- The first of two Expert Insights video series, focused on mental performance.
- An article profiling a day in the life of an aviation psychiatrist.
Throughout May, AOPA will also:
- Interview Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup about ongoing efforts to streamline medical certification and reduce the stigma around mental health.
- Dedicate its monthly “What’s Up?” webinar on May 21 to mental health by interviewing Reini Thijssen, a counselor who specializes in supporting pilots.
- Share additional social media content highlighting the importance of addressing mental health.
- Expand mental health educational opportunities for CFIs to give them tools to support their students.
All resources released throughout May are being compiled in AOPA’s Mental Health Resource Center.
