Reuters (12/3, Singh, Catchpole, Stapleton, Brock, Oladipo, Barrington, Kalra, Ganapavaram) interviewed “at least 24 commercial pilots at U.S. and foreign carriers who said that they were reluctant to disclose mental health issues – even minor or treatable ones – fearing immediate grounding and a lengthy, costly medical review that could end their careers.” The pilots “cited multiple reasons for not coming forward with mental health challenges, including airline policies, regulatory requirements and social stigma.” In most professions, “individuals can seek medical or psychological treatment without involving employers or regulators, such as the Federal Aviation Administration.” However, “aviation operates under stricter standards: pilots must meet rigorous physical and psychological criteria to maintain their FAA medical certification, in some cases undergoing medical exams every six months. Pilots who report anxiety or depression may be grounded.” In a statement, the FAA “said…that it is committed to prioritizing the mental health of pilots and is continually updating its approach based on the best medical science available.”
Related Links:
— “‘If you aren’t lying, you aren’t flying.’ Airline pilots hide mental health struggles,” Rajesh Kumar Singh, Reuters , December 3, 2025