Fostering Mental Wellness in the Early Stages of Professional Pilots’ Careers: A Collegiate Curriculum for Aviators
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Abstract
Mental health challenges remain a pressing concern in aviation, affecting both professional pilots and collegiate aviation students. Contributing factors include irregular schedules, extended time away from family, academic and operational pressures, and high-performance expectations. Part 141 collegiate flight students face these stressors early in their careers, compounded by the need to maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certification. Stigma and fear of career repercussions discourage many from seeking care, creating hidden safety risks.
This ongoing study explores the development of a Mental Wellness Curriculum (MWC) tailored to collegiate flight students, with the goal of embedding proactive wellness education into training. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws from existing literature, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based practices to design curriculum modules focusing on stress management, resilience-building, stigma reduction, and healthy lifestyle practices. Importantly, the curriculum incorporates Safety Management System principles, positioning mental wellness as a core component of operational safety. Preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for structured mental wellness education to build resilience among future aviators and strengthen the safety culture of the aviation industry.
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References
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