The legislation, which still requires approval from the House and the president, would help those with depression and anxiety who are reluctant to seek medical care out of concern it could jeopardise their high-pressure careers.
Chris Finlayson, a pilot and executive director of the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, said the bills start breaking down the stigma and showing that asking for help is no longer a third rail. Finlayson developed depression and anxiety after contracting long Covid in 2021.
A 2016 study of more than 1,800 pilots found that almost 13% met the criteria for depression, and 4% reported suicidal thoughts. Among European airline pilots, a quarter suffered from anxiety and 40% displayed alcohol misuse, according to a 2025 report. Among US air traffic controllers, 19% struggled with moderate to severe anxiety, a 2025 study found.
Despite these figures, pilots and air traffic controllers are less likely to seek care due to stigma and concerns about being disqualified from flying. The issue gained attention after the 2015 Germanwings crash, in which a pilot with suicidal tendencies deliberately flew a plane into the French Alps, killing 150 people. A subsequent report found that the Federal Aviation Administration's ability to mitigate safety risks was limited by pilots' reluctance to disclose mental health conditions.
The Federal Aviation Administration maintains guidelines on which health conditions prohibit pilots from flying, given the safety-critical nature of their work. Pilots must disclose their medical history and medications to an aviation medical examiner.