The FAA releases the FAA Safety Briefing, a magazine about new safety guidelines and news for many aviators to read and stay informed in an ever-evolving field. In its Sept/Oct book, an interesting article was written by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Air Surgeon, Dr. Susan E Northrup. She leads strategic management of the FAA's aviation medical programs, which oversee all pilots.
"As part of our ongoing mental health efforts, we have been actively looking at areas where we can dele- gate more decision-making authority to the aviation medical examiner (AME) to enable as many pilots as possible leaving the AME’s office with their medical certificate in hand." These updated health policies added 3 more acceptable anti-depressant medications allowing 8 total different anti-depressant medications acceptable for aviators (website is this link here: bit.ly/3WwO6kJ)
Additionally, the Aerospace Medical department as allowed Airman Medical Examiners (AMEs) to have more decision-making authority on mental issues that previously required FAA review such as uncomplicated depression and anxiety, alone or together, as
well as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Moreover, The use of medication to treat depression or anxiety no longer automatically requires an FAA review, even if the person is still in counseling, provided the last usage was at least 2 years ago, as compared to previously being 4 years.
These changes definitely provide a better process for future aviators to enter into the industry, and still better their mental health.
