CAPT. JEFFERY ANG
INTRODUCING
o Commercial Airline Pilot
o Peer Supporter of Pilot’s Advisory Group
(PAG)
o Industry Mentor (Aviation)
o Former Branch Chairman of Air Line Pilots
Association of Singapore (ALPA-S)
o Former Military Pilot of the Republic of
Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
Presentation
AviAsian 2021 Conference
26-27 Aug
PILOT’S MENTAL HEALTH &
WELLBEING
PRESENTATION BY CAPT. JEFFERY ANG
The Need for Better
Attention in the Aviation
Industry
The Need for Better Attention in the Aviation Industry
PILOT’S MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Adverse Effect on
Flight Safety
Confluence
of Factors
Report, Detect &
Intervene
Scientific &
Operational Tool
(Bor et al., 2017; Harper, 2021)(Orlady & Orlady, 1999; Reason, 1990; Kelly & Efthymiou, 2019)
“Main Casual Factor to Aviation Accidents and Incidents - Human Errors.”
Germanwings Flight 9525
“Pilots continue to be the prelude to absolute safety in flight operations that have averted numerous incidents and accidents.”
(Bor et al., 2017)
o 12.6% (252) out of 2000 pilots in the US and Europe revealed that they were on the threshold of clinical depression (Wu et al., 2016)
o Airline pilots experienced depression at least as frequently as the general population (Pasha & Stokes, 2018)
o 15 Apr 2016, Mozambique Airlines Flight 470 (Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigations Namibia)
o 31 Oct 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990 (NTSB, 2009; Cloudberg, 2019)
I am still biologically human…
Factors Affecting Pilot’s
Mental Health
Working Conditions
➢ JOB NATUREDemanding & Stressful(Bor et al., 2017; Salas & Maurino, 2010)
➢ REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Competency & Fitness(Pasha & Stokes, 2018)
➢ UNIQUE WORK-LIFEObligations & Responsibilities(Harris, 2011; Demerouti et al., 2018;Winter & Rice, 2015; Alkov et al., 1982)
➢ COMPULSIVE, OBSESSIVE, PERFECTIONIST
Excessive Reassurance-Seeking Behaviour(Abramowitz & Reuman, 2020; Philomin, 2015; Morse & Bor, 2006)
Psychological
(Morse & Bor, 2006)
“THE RIGHT STUFF!”
JOB OPPORTUNITY
(Halpern, 2020)
Employment
Opportunity
Effects of Stress Factors
“Pilots who fly the
airliners we travel on
are just human.
They're susceptible to
the same maladies that
plague us all.”
PSYCHOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
1
Indignant
Helpless
Lack Self-Esteem
3
Binge Drinking
Psychoactive Substances
OTHER MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES
2INDULGENCE
Anxiety
Panic
Paranoid(Bor & Hubbard, 2006; Morse & Bor, 2006)
27 March 2012,JetBlue Flight 191
(Fernandez, 2012; Donaldson, 2012)
Pilot’s
Mental
Health
Concerns
among
Pilots
Potential
Risks
Reduced margin of
Flight Safety
Catastrophic
Outcome - Suicide
Deficient
Mental
Health of
Pilots
“We need to change
the culture of this
topic and make it OK
to speak about mental
health.”Loss of Class 1
Medical Status
Loss of Flying
License(Wu, et al 2016: Winter & Rice, 2015: Philomin, 2015)
Adequacy of
Attention
Recommendations
Airlines / Pilots
AssociationDetect & Timely Peer Support
(Steptoe & Bostock, 2011;
IFALPA, 2015; Demerouti et al.,
2018)
Community & Social
SupportIdentify Signs of Psychological Distress(Cahill, Cullen, & Gaynor,
2018)
IFALPASystematic Evaluation
(IFALPA, 2015)
Aerospace
Medical
Association (AsMA)Quick & Effective Methods
(AsMA, 2015)
Application of
Psychology / Aviation
PsychologistsAwareness
(IFALPA, 2015)
Scientifically and Operationally Validated Tools ❑ Self-Administered
to Check for
Personal Mental
Resilience &
WellBeing
(Steptoe & Bostock, 2011)
Karasek’s Job Strain Model
(Kroenke et al., 2001)
“Facilitating self-detection and approach to effective treatment strategies can ameliorate any stressful situations or stigma faced by pilots.”
CONCLUSION
Pilots are well trained Professionals1
2 Deficient Mental Health = Catastrophe!
3 Judicious Approach to Detect, Identify, and Treat
Social & Peer Support – Psychological First Aid
Scientifically Validated Tools – Self-Awareness Aid
4
5
Pilot’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
“The Need for Better Attention!”
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