Federal Flight Surgeon Addresses Mental Health Progress, Special Issuance Delays

As a physician, I applaud the FAA for taking this much needed step forward. As has been pointed out, “mental illness” runs the gamut from a normal reactionary depression (death of a loved one) to paranoid schizophrenia. It is interwoven in every aspect of our society from the homeless to board rooms. I spent 20 years in the Navy and can attest to the fact that it occurs to carrier pilots and crew. To highlight its lack of priority in our society, I point out the largest national provider of mental health services - the US prison system.