Presenter Email
aricraus@raus-ocasio.com
Submission Type
Poster
Topic Area
Aviation Mental Health
Topic Area
Aviation Mental Health
Keywords
U.S. Army, Army Aviation, Aviators, Aircrews, Pilots, UAS, RPA, Drones, ATC, Air Traffic Control, Barriers to Care, Mental Health, Mental Wellness, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Military Aviation
Abstract
This research explores barriers to mental health seeking, self-reported symptoms, and perspectives on self-help mental-wellness options among U.S. Army Aviation Personnel. Safe aviation operations require constant focus and mental clarity. These requirements expand when considering the implications and added stress of military operations, especially in combat scenarios. Yet, recent studies demonstrate that aviation personnel avoid seeking healthcare due to fears of losing their medical certification. This report provides preliminary results from the first known study on barriers to mental health seeking among U.S. Army aviation personnel. Utilizing an anonymous survey instrument, facilitated primarily through Social Media recruiting of current and former Army aircrew members, air traffic controllers, and uncrewed aircraft, these data provide insight into the influence of attitudinal, instrumental, and stigma barriers among the more than 300 respondents. Additionally, the study provides perspectives on the use of three evidence-based, self-help, mental-wellness options both with and without explicit FAA and DoD approval. Finally, survey results provide details on self-reported anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Army Aviation members. These results, along with the forthcoming final analysis, provide insight into the mental wellness of aviation operations on military personnel, barriers they experience when considering mental health care, and possible options for early intervention strategies.
Keywords: U.S. Army, Army Aviation, Aviators, Aircrews, Pilots, UAS, RPA, Drones, ATC, Air Traffic Control, Barriers to Care, Mental Health, Mental Wellness, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Military Aviation
Headshot - Aric J. Raus, Army University
Aric J. Raus Short Biography (October 2023).docx (13 kB)
Short Bio - Aric J. Raus, Army University
Included in
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Barriers to Mental Health Seeking Among Army Aviation Personnel: A Preliminary Report
This research explores barriers to mental health seeking, self-reported symptoms, and perspectives on self-help mental-wellness options among U.S. Army Aviation Personnel. Safe aviation operations require constant focus and mental clarity. These requirements expand when considering the implications and added stress of military operations, especially in combat scenarios. Yet, recent studies demonstrate that aviation personnel avoid seeking healthcare due to fears of losing their medical certification. This report provides preliminary results from the first known study on barriers to mental health seeking among U.S. Army aviation personnel. Utilizing an anonymous survey instrument, facilitated primarily through Social Media recruiting of current and former Army aircrew members, air traffic controllers, and uncrewed aircraft, these data provide insight into the influence of attitudinal, instrumental, and stigma barriers among the more than 300 respondents. Additionally, the study provides perspectives on the use of three evidence-based, self-help, mental-wellness options both with and without explicit FAA and DoD approval. Finally, survey results provide details on self-reported anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Army Aviation members. These results, along with the forthcoming final analysis, provide insight into the mental wellness of aviation operations on military personnel, barriers they experience when considering mental health care, and possible options for early intervention strategies.
Keywords: U.S. Army, Army Aviation, Aviators, Aircrews, Pilots, UAS, RPA, Drones, ATC, Air Traffic Control, Barriers to Care, Mental Health, Mental Wellness, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Military Aviation
Comments
First place winner of the Graduate Student Poster Competition in the Aviation Mental Health category.