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Mental Health Awareness - Updates from the FAA and Advice from an Aviation Therapist
Episode 16
Thursday, 28 May, 2026

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 Phone: 386-320-3181 ALPA Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS) ALPA Mental Health Continuum FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee Recommendations AME Guide Item 19 (When Therapy Does or Does Not Need to be Disclosed) FAA Guidance for Fast Track Approval of a Specified Condition *This is a starting point, please contact AMAS (paid for by your ALPA dues) for any specific conditions diagnosed to comply with FAA requirements and minimize down time. FAA Guidance Regarding Anxiety and Depression Pilot Mental Health Campaign (not ALPA reviewed) resource to help explain aviation medicals to a mental health provider that is not familiar Your Piedmont Union Representatives stand in full support of all pilots who choose to seek treatment and improvement of their mental health, and are happy to help with any additional questions or information. Happy pilots are safe pilots!