E33: Psychological Distress In the Aviation Industry and the Support Provided - with Dr Joan Cahill and Paul Cullen

EPISODE SUMMARY

In August 2020 the Lived Experience Wellbeing Project surveyed over 2,000 safety-critical aviation workers, and examined levels of psychological distress and the supports being provided to and availed of by these workers.

One year on, we want to see how things have changed. Is it better? Is it worse?

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[02:13] Work thus far – Joan discusses the work they have been doing in the areas of lived experience and well-being recently.

[04:00] Findings - Joan outlines some of the observations they made before the COVID pandemic and how they evolved and changed during the pandemic.

[06:48] Paul's Experience - Paul describes his involvement in the study and, more specifically, his personal experiences as a pilot and employee in the aviation industry.

[12:04] More on Mental health – Highlighting the importance of speaking up and normalising mental illnesses; Joan emphasises knowing what to do as a first step in this process and how to accomplish it.

[18:51] Integrated Health, Well-being, and Safety Culture – Joan addresses the need for organisations to implement a comprehensive approach to mental health concerns.

[26:27] Human Factor and the Lived Experience – Joan shares his take on human beings and the lived experience.

[31:27] Operationalisation of Well-Being – Emphasising that mental health must be integrated into all aspects of employment, Joan expresses her thoughts on the operationalisation of well-being.

[40:22] Peer Support – Enquiring about the effectiveness of peer support in assisting pilots with mental health issues and whether this type of help is appropriate for mental health issues, Paul provides his perspective on peer support in mental health issues.

[46:25] Message to the Listeners – Joan and Paul give their takeaway message to anyone listening to the podcast in the aviation sector.