Aug. 5, 2024
In light of greater industry focus on proactively addressing mental wellness, NBAA recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) for organizations wishing to partner with the association on the development of a comprehensive mental health peer support program for business aviation.
The NBAA Business Aviation Mental Health Support Program Services RFP asks for industry suggestions on the development of a possible association program based on member needs. Review the RFP.
“The primary objective of this mental health support program,” reads the RFP, “is to get professionals in business aviation the necessary mental health care they need 1) when and where they need it, 2) in a way that alleviates, as much as possible, the concerns with and minimizes the burdens of the FAA’s medical certification processes and timelines, and 3) to help ensure their fitness for duty when performing safety-sensitive functions in business aviation.”
The envisioned NBAA program is comprised of five elements: intake, peer selection and training, peer support, aviation mental health provider support and FAA medical certificate consultations. Industry response will drive what form the NBAA Business Aviation Mental Health Support Program ultimately takes.
Focus areas of the program include better identifying potential health issues, providing access to treatment providers familiar with aviation and addressing concerns about treatment costs.
These areas may initially be addressed through peer support programs, which were among the recommendations made earlier this year by the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC).
“Those concerned about their mental health or the implications to their medical certificate often first seek out the advice of one of their peers,” said Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations, who represented business aviation on the ARC.
“It’s important to have people willing to actively listen to a peer’s concerns, highlight available professional resources that can help and walk with them on this journey,” he continued.
Similar versions of this framework already exist among commercial airlines, Larsen added, and are starting to appear at aviation universities. “The people in business aviation could similarly benefit from such a program tailored to our specific environment and needs,” he said.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.