The problem is the FARs vs. the need for mental health help. You can't go see a shrink without encountering a whole bunch of flak from the FAA (including the possiblity of having the ole medical revoked and not having an income stream as a result). So it is a choice of:
a) Don't get the help that you need so that you don't have to lie on the FAA medical form.
b) Get the help, but not put it on the FAA medical form (and break a FAR in the process)
c) Get the help that you need, report it to the FAA, and risk having to find a non-flying job
None of these are great choices. My understanding is that a pilot can see a mental health "counselor" and not report it to the FAA. Maybe we need more shrinks to call themselves counselors instead of doctors.
It seems that there should be a better way to at least determine the extent of the problem. I think that an independent organization should be set up based on the NASA aviation saftey reporting system (anonomous) so that pilots who need help can get it without completely risking their career (there will be exceptions, of course) and the extent of the problem can be measured and understood.
It just doesn't seem to be working very well now.
a) Don't get the help that you need so that you don't have to lie on the FAA medical form.
b) Get the help, but not put it on the FAA medical form (and break a FAR in the process)
c) Get the help that you need, report it to the FAA, and risk having to find a non-flying job
None of these are great choices. My understanding is that a pilot can see a mental health "counselor" and not report it to the FAA. Maybe we need more shrinks to call themselves counselors instead of doctors.
It seems that there should be a better way to at least determine the extent of the problem. I think that an independent organization should be set up based on the NASA aviation saftey reporting system (anonomous) so that pilots who need help can get it without completely risking their career (there will be exceptions, of course) and the extent of the problem can be measured and understood.
It just doesn't seem to be working very well now.