Pilots are humans who experience a great level of stress unlike the rest of us. Anytime they are in the air, they try to maintain a clear head because the lives of everyone rests in their hands. No matter how experienced a Pilot is, they are naturally anxious till the plane lands safely.

It is important the pilot is of sound mind all the time and this is why they need counseling. There are two common mental health conditions that affect Pilots: Anxiety disorders and Mood disorders.

Everyone experiences anxiety. We can unnecessarily worry about various things like work, personal health, finances, the family etc. There are several types of anxiety disorders like Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

For mood disorders, it is a range of conditions where the individual’s mood is the primary underlying factor.

There are many types of mood disorders like Bipolar disorder and depression. It is possible for the pilot to experience either anxiety disorders or mood disorders because of the peculiarity of their job.

However, with the help of the counselor, they will be able to pull through and do fine. Pilots need counseling because having any of these disorders is the last thing they need because they would be flying planes almost every time.

Pilots experience problems in various aspects of their lives and brooding over them while flying a plane is disadvantageous. This is why they need counseling to help them address their problems in a safe way.

Some Pilots might try to cut corners by taking anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressants, but it is not encouraged. It is better to take the long haul by going for counseling than to take drugs and put the lives of people at risk.  

It is important for all airlines to ensure the mental health of their pilots and staff are in a good condition. This would be helpful in curtailing any impending disaster.