Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 would direct the Federal Aviation Administration to review and modernize its mental health policies for pilots and air traffic controllers. The bill would require the FAA to implement recommendations from the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group and the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee. This includes reclassifying medications that can be safely prescribed to treat mental health conditions, delegating more authority to aviation medical examiners to approve treatments, and improving the special issuance process that allows pilots and controllers with certain medical conditions to continue working under restrictions.

The bill would also authorize the FAA to recruit and train additional aviation medical examiners to handle the increased workload from these expanded policies. Additionally, it would fund a public information campaign to reduce stigma around seeking mental health care in the aviation industry, increase awareness of available support services, and build trust between the FAA and aviation professionals.

The practical impact would be to make it easier for pilots and air traffic controllers to access mental health treatment without losing their careers, potentially improving safety by encouraging early intervention for mental health issues. Currently, many aviation professionals avoid seeking help due to fear of losing their medical certification. This bill has passed the House and is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.