Studies reveal pilots fear being grounded over mental health stigma

New studies have come to light showing that upwards of 70% of pilots avoid and fear seeking mental-health assistance. For a pilot, seeking assistance might impact their jobs and ability to fly.

Fox News' Charles Watson shared more on these recent studies on Sunday afternoon's "Fox News Live." 

"Certainly a troubling trend, one in which researchers say pilots are often ignoring their health, particularly mental health symptoms, because they're so terrified of losing their ability to fly," he told host Arthel Neville.

MILITARY PILOTS AND GROUND CREWS SHOWING HIGH RATES OF CANCER, PENTAGON STUDY REVEALS

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, pilots must meet medical standards, undergo a medical exam and receive certification in order to be licensed as a pilot. This must be completed through an FAA-certified Aviation Medical examiner (AME). 

As the studies and Watson explained, pilots fear revealing mental health as it can hinder their chances to fly and could be a lengthy process to regain certification. 

"Once the pilot loses their wings, they could be sidelined for years and saddled with expenses to get approval again," Watson explained. 

Fox News spoke to one FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) who shared his insight on the matter. 

"All stakeholders stand to gain by working on healthcare avoidance. For pilots, this is about getting the health care that they need. For airlines and companies, this is about cost savings and maintaining aviation safety, and for regulators, this is about ensuring that the aerospace system is safe."

The AME also shared that, "many pilots don't know that you can see a therapist and still fly." He continued. "Many pilots don't know that you can be on an SSRI [Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors] and still fly."

In addition to the Aviation Medical Examiner, Fox also discussed the topic with retired airline Captain Reyne O'Shaughnessy. 

"Chronic stress, anxiety, depression, use and abuse of alcohol and in some cases, drugs… They are struggling because we are human and we're struggling and because of the system that we work in, it is really difficult to reach out for help." 

"I think the real issue is how fast. In the meantime, safety is a concern because we have pilots who are self-medicating or not medicating at all," the retired captain added. 

MENTAL HEALTH IN AVIATION: PILOTS ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE, AFRAID TO GET WINGS CLIPPED

Pilot mental health is not a new issue for the Federal Aviation Administration, which has taken measures to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the aviation community. 

The agency encourages pilots to seek help if they have a condition and have invested resources into the matter, such as increased training for AMEs, clinical studies, research, and the hiring of additional mental health professionals. 

In 2021, then FAA Administrator Steve Dickson made remarks on the stigma at the University of North Dakota Mental Health Summit.

"For many years, being honest about mental health has been one of those risky areas. I’m here to tell you that it’s a perceived risk, though, and we’re doing our best at the FAA to make that clear." 

He went on to address pilot concerns over their ability to fly if a mental health issue was reported.

"It is a misconception that if you report a mental health issue, you will never fly again ... It’s just not true."

"In fact, only about 0.1% of applicants for a medical certificate who disclose health issues are ultimately denied a medical, and then only after an exhaustive attempt to "get to yes," he added. 

"The important thing to stress to our pilots is to please ask for help when any symptoms begin, and to treat the underlying conditions before your health degrades. The worse these conditions become, the harder it is for us to get you back in the air," said Dickson.

Prince William and Kate Middleton share new video to celebrate King Charles' coronation: 'What. A. Day'

Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrated King Charles III's coronation with a new clip they shared after the conclusion of the historic day.

The Princess and Princess of Wales posted a recap video that featured official footage of the festivities following the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla at London's Westminster Abbey on Saturday. 

"What. A. Day.," the couple wrote on their official Twitter page.

"Thank you to everyone who made it happen," they added.

KING CHARLES OFFICIALLY CROWNED BRITISH MONARCH

At the beginning of the video, Kate, 41, and William, 40, were seen clad in their formal robes and mantels as they walked down steps leaving for Westminster Abbey.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by their children Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. The family was seen smiling while getting into black SUVs on their way to the royal church.

The minute-long video featured highlights of the day including the royal procession and the flypast over Buckingham Palace. William, Kate and their children were seen waving from their carriage and smiling while gathered with the royal family on the palace balcony.

The video ended with a closing shot of Charles waving while standing on the balcony with Camilla.

The historic ceremony was Britain's first coronation since Charles mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 70 years ago. The coronation was marked with touching tributes to the late monarch, who died at the age of 96 in Scotland last September.

Kate sported the George VI Festoon Necklace, which was commissioned by King George VI in 1950 as a gift for his daughter, then-Princess Elizabeth. She also wore a pair of diamond and pearl earrings previously owned by her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.

The Princess of Wales’ coronation ensemble featured a custom gown by Alexander McQueen, the same designer who made her bridal gown for her royal wedding with William. Charlotte coordinated with her mother in a white McQueen cape dress and the two both donned glittering leaf headpieces by McQueen.

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During the ceremony, William, who wore the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards, honored his father with a spoken vow. George, who served as one of Charles' four Pages of Honour, wore a red uniform. He is the youngest future king to have had an official role in a coronation.

However, it was Louis who stole the show once again at the royal event. The five-year-old was pictured yawning at the ceremony, pressing his nose up against the carriage window during the procession and shouting from the balcony as the flyover was taking place.

Charles' historic coronation was attended by 2,200 guests and watched by millions around the world.

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