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

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 [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Therapy_Psychotherapy_And_Counseling_FAQs_For_Pilots_And_ATCS.pdf] May 2026 Updated Guidelines for Therapists [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Info_for_Psychotherapists_Treating_Pilots_ATCS.pdf] May 2026 Information for Therapists Treating Pilots [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Info_for_Psychotherapists_Treating_Pilots_ATCS.pdf]   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION   PILOT PEER SUPPORT HOTLINE: (309) 777-2572 To contact a Piedmont PPS Representative, please email PDTPilotPeerSupport@alpa.org [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/ [https://www.cynthiapinion.com/] Email: info@cynthiapinion.com Phone: 386-320-3181   ALPA Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS) [https://aviationmedicine.com/consult-an-amas-physician/air-line-pilots-association-international-alpa/] ALPA Mental Health Continuum [https://www.alpa.org/members/benefits/health-and-wellness/mental-health/pilot-peer-support/are-you-in-the-green#continuum] FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee Recommendations [https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Mental_Health_ARC_Final_Report_RELEASED.pdf] AME Guide Item 19 (When Therapy Does or Does Not Need to be Disclosed) [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/app_history/item19] FAA Guidance for Fast Track Approval of a Specified Condition [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/app_history/item19] *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 [https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Anxiety_Depression_Disposition_Table.pdf] Pilot Mental Health Campaign (not ALPA reviewed) resource to help explain aviation medicals to a mental health provider that is not familiar [https://assets.nationbuilder.com/pmhc/pages/162/attachments/original/1764446151/Considerations_for_Mental_Health_Providers_working_with_Pilots__Air_Traffic_Controllers__and_Aviation_Trainees_%28October__2025%29.pdf?1764446151]     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!

Non-Rev Travel

In this episode, we discuss some basic guidelines and helpful tips for non-rev travel, both for employees and those with access to employee benefits.  The non-rev travel hotline number is: 1-888-933-5922     Additionally in this episode: Phillies PUB Event RSVP Form [https://forms.alpa.org/260955431318963] Mid-Term Negotiations Update [https://pdt.alpa.org/Live-Articles/across-the-table-april-27-2026-4-27-2026]

Piedmont MEC - 2025 Year In Review & 2026 Look Ahead

Welcome back to Piedmonsters! In this episode, we're joined by MEC Chair Kimberley Gott and Vice Chair Ryan Higgins, to discuss what the MEC accomplished in 2025 and look ahead to what the group will be working on in 2026.   For LEC 35 Voting - alpa.org/votenet       Like and subscribe to Piedmonsters wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. And follow us on Instagram @PiedmontPilots. You can also email us at PDTpodcast@alpa.org with any comments or suggestions.

ALPA Committees and Volunteering

For the first time since our very first episode last summer, we are joined by Piedmont MEC Chair, Captain Kim Gott. She’s with us to highlight the roles of the various committees within our union operations and explain the best ways for our pilots to become involved with specific committees.     Holiday Party Information RSVP Here [https://forms.alpa.org/253235653424051] Additional Details [https://pdt.alpa.org/Articles/mec-update-piedmont-mec-family-awareness-holiday-party]   As we move into the holiday season, we are reminded that flights are full, and commutes are tough. Please remember to “do the walk” for jumpseaters.  Please do everything you can to ensure that jumpseating and commuting coworkers receive the courtesy of your best efforts to accommodate them. For our commuting pilots, please take a moment to review the Piedmont Commuting Policy outlined in our CBA. If you have any questions, please reach out to your status rep…    We hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving, whether that is at work or at home.    Thank you, as always for listening. Like and subscribe to Piedmonsters, wherever you get your podcasts, including apple, spotify, and youtube. And follow us on instagram @PiedmontPilots. [https://www.instagram.com/piedmontpilots/]  You can also email us at PDTPodcast@alpa.org [PDTPodcast@alpa.org] with any comments or suggestions.

Back to School with the Training Department - Part 2

This is Part 2 of a 2-part interview featuring Training Committee Chair, Captain David Weidenhamer. In Part 1, we discussed an overview of the Training Committee, Training Review Boards, and what to expect during CQ. Part 2 features information about what to expect during Captain Upgrade, as well as additional suggestions and information. This episode also features some updates from around the MEC, including information about our new Training Department LEC, LEC 28, and upcoming Holiday PUB events in Charlotte and Philadelphia.