Mental health in aviation: Pilots are suffering in silence, afraid to get wings clipped

Struggling, frustrated and afraid. 

There's concern about a trend today in the aviation industry: Some pilots are participating in health care avoidance behavior, particularly when it comes to mental health care.

One retired airline pilot with three decades of experience told Fox News, "It is really difficult to reach out for help." 

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In one of the most high-stress jobs in which pilots are often overworked, Capt. Reyné O’Shaughnessy told Fox News, "They’re struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, depression, use and abuse of alcohol — and in some cases, drugs."

A study on this topic was published in 2019 in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM). 

A simple question was asked: Have you ever felt worried about seeking medical care because it may impact your caree...