Remarks as prepared for delivery.
Good morning, and welcome to the NTSB Boardroom. I’m so glad you’re here.
Before we begin, a note about mental health. I want to acknowledge that this can be a difficult topic for some, so we have folks here in case you need support:
- Elias Kontanis from our Transportation Disaster Assistance Division; and
- Disaster mental health specialists from the American Red Cross. We thank the Red Cross for supporting today’s event.
A private room is available if you’d like to speak with these professionals. And if you’re watching from and feel you need help, please call 988 to speak with someone.
Sexism. Racism. Heterosexism. Classism. Ageism. Ableism.
Anti-Semitism. Islamophobia.
Microaggressions.
Gun violence. Incarceration.
Childhood neglect or abuse.
Body dysmorphia. Disordered eating.
Financial stress. Job stress. Fatigue. Burnout.
Unemployment. Poverty.
Marital trouble. Divorce. Loneliness.
Surviving a natural disaster — or one that’s man-made. Traffic violence.
Having or loving someone with substance use disorder.
Infertility. Pregnancy loss. Post-partum depression. Parenting.
“Empty nest” syndrome. Aging parents. Menopause.
The loss of a pet.
A chronic illness. A serious injury. A terminal diagnosis.
The death of someone close to you.
This is life — along with what I hope are far, far too many wonderful experiences to count.
But none of us struggles when things go well.
Because evolution has wired us with a negativity bias, “bad” events affect us more profoundly than “good” ones. No human being is immune.
I’d also bet every single person in this room — and watching this recording later — has personally faced one of the challenges I just listed.
Odds are, you’ve faced more than one. I know I have.
In any given year, about 1 in 5 U.S. adults has a diagnosable mental health condition; more than half of us will over the course of our lifetimes. The vast majority are not severe.
Stigma around mental illness is real. It can make asking for help hard. It can take real strength, which is among one of the many reasons this next statistic is so high: in the U.S., less than half of people with a diagnosable mental health condition receive treatment.
There are already so many obstacles between needing help and getting it — obstacles that bring more stress to a person who’s already struggling.
No one…no one…should have to think twice about their job before seeking help.
And yet, we’re here today because that’s not currently the case in U.S. aviation.
It’s somewhat of an open secret that current rules incentivize people to either lie about their medical history when it comes to mental health or avoid seeking help in the first place.
Pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and others are known to avoid seeking mental health care…underreport their use of mental health care and medication.
Let me be clear: the safety risk comes from a culture of silence around mental health. A culture that empowers people to get the care they deserve…to be healthy in mind and in body…that will strengthen safety.
We hear from the FAA that only about .1 percent of medical certificate applicants who disclose a health issue are denied.
First of all, we know mental health issues are underreported; it’s the whole reason we’re hosting this event. And by the way, that statistic accounts for all health issues combined.
Those who do report the use of medication are sidelined for no less than 6 months; those who seek professional counseling can be caught in a frustrating maze of bureaucracy to get back to work.
It’s an unacceptably long wait when you realize many Americans…over 60%...live paycheck to paycheck. Adding insult to injury, many are forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars in the process — that’s on top of their lost income.
As a result, an untold number of workers across aviation fear disclosing a mental health struggle will result in the loss of their professional identity, their livelihood — and, of course, expose them to stigma.
In aviation, you are, in effect, punished for following the rules around disclosure. This creates a perverse incentive and I’m very concerned about the safety consequences.
This isn’t anecdotal, though we will hear some powerful first-person accounts today; it’s backed up by research. We’ll also discuss how the current FAA system works.
But I think it’s safe to say no one wants a system that disincentivizes transparency…or one that discourages aviation professionals to disclose what’s really going on in their lives. I’m extremely heartened by my recent discussions with Administrator Whitaker, whose commitment to this issue is deep and sincere.
We are here today out of the broadly shared concern that a system that shames and silences people can lead to unacceptable safety risk.
Especially right now.
This is a real challenging time. We’re very much still feeling the effects of the pandemic, especially in aviation, where we’re seeing a concerning uptick in close calls and near misses.
There are headlines all the time documenting the stressors and risks workers face. Ground crews. Pilots. Flight attendants. Maintenance workers. Dispatchers.
We know air traffic controllers are facing staffing issues, mandatory overtime, outdated equipment, infrastructure, and technology — not to mention less opportunity for meaningful, value-added training.
That’s stress on stress…and it’s falling on the shoulders of those on the frontlines of safety.
All that’s to say, the current strain on our aviation system and its workforce cannot be underestimated.
That is why now, perhaps more than ever, everyone needs to feel safe seeking the help they need and deserve.
Our stellar aviation safety record depends on it.
And it is stellar. We have the safest airspace in the world. In fact, we are enjoying a record level of aviation safety.
That doesn’t mean we’re “done.” Safety is never “complete.” There is always progress we can make…must make…for the people on the frontlines and for every passenger.
That is the NTSB’s mission.
Our safety record will mean nothing, nothing, if we abandon the steady march for safety progress by resting on our laurels.
Dr. William Hoffman, who I’m honored is here today, has said the following:
Recognizing that mental health is on a dynamic spectrum and that many pilots could benefit from talking to a professional mental health provider at some point in their career has the potential to keep pilots flying healthy while also increasing safety in the system.
I couldn’t agree more, except I’d apply it to the entire aviation industry!
Mental health doesn’t affect those in aviation any differently than it affects others around the world in safety-sensitive roles. We’re all human, which means we’re all affected by the challenges I shared earlier.
Regardless of your profession, you must feel safe getting the help you need when you need it.
Leaders like us need to talk about it, get comfortable being uncomfortable, to help provide a safe space for others to get treatment without fear of losing their livelihoods.
It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the safe thing to do. What’s unsafe is pretending the status quo is acceptable.
Thank you.
