Mental Health Awareness - Updates from the FAA and Advice from an Aviation Therapist

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year we were joined by Pilot Peer Support Committee Chair, Captain Amanda Fallon, as well as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Cynthia Sterling-Pinion.

As pilots, aviation safety experts, and ALPA continue to work daily towards safer skies and healthier pilots, the guidelines surrounding pilot mental health are constantly evolving. As such, the FAA released new guidance on May 27, 2026 (between this podcast being recorded and the time it is uploaded for listening). That new guidance is linked below and supersedes any conflicting guidance previously released.

May 2026 Updates to Therapy Guidelines

May 2026 Updated Guidelines for Therapists

May 2026 Information for Therapists Treating Pilots

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

PILOT PEER SUPPORT HOTLINE: (309) 777-2572

To contact a Piedmont PPS Representative, please email PDTPilotPeerSupport@alpa.org OR utilize the ALPA App by selecting the following menu items.

My Pilot Group -> MEC Committees -> Pilot Peer Support

Cynthia Sterling Pinion LMFT, NCC, CPLC (Aviation Therapist certified in FL and Certified Professional Life Coach in all 50 states)

Website: https://www.cynthiapinion.com/

Email: info@cynthiapinion.com