By Anonymous Pilot
When I was 14, my beloved brother died and I was diagnosed with cancer all in the same year. I responded well to chemo, entered remission at 15, and have luckily remained healthy ever since. I received some counseling for about a year afterwards for “depression”, but never took any medication.
Years later, I found aviation! I took a few flights lessons and fell in love. My brother had always wanted to fly but never got the chance. It seemed like an amazing way to still feel connected to him after his death.
However, when I applied for a medical, it was denied due to my history of “depression”. Is it not natural for a teenager who lost their sibling and went through cancer treatment to feel sad for awhile? I thought I had done the right thing by receiving counseling so that I could heal appropriately, but instead I was being punished for it. It was several years in the past, I was never prescribed any depression medication, and I was currently a happy and productive college student that showed no signs of being mentally unwell. It seemed unfair to deny my medical.
It took 2.5 years of letters back and forth with the FAA, appointments, and psych evals- but I did finally get a medical. Which is great! But, it unnecessarily cost me years of time, money, stress, career progression, and seniority.
It also instilled a terrible lesson - to not seek mental health help. I’m an airline pilot now and have had to carry additional burdens of life through the years without any therapy because I’m scared that the FAA will deny my medical again- especially if they determine that I have a previous history of being “mentally unwell”. This system encourages pilots to suffer instead of allowing them to heal.
What is Your Title?: Pilot
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