DGCA recommends steps to ensure mental health of crew, ATCOs
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New Delhi: The civil aviation watchdog DGCA has suggested a number of measures, including mental health assessment during medical assessments and peer support programmes, to guarantee the mental well-being of flight crew and air traffic controllers.
A senior DGCA official announced on Wednesday that a circular will be sent to airlines and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) instructing them to put the required measures in place to implement the recommendations.
AAI is responsible for air traffic controllers (ATCOs).
Amid concerns about the mental health of flight crew and ATCOs, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) set up an expert panel.
The panel identified three major domains where measures can be taken. They are "mental health assessment during the medical assessments, Peer Support Programme (PSP), and pre-employment psychological assessment," the DGCA said in a release.
The expert panel comprised experienced DGCA officers, air safety, clinical aerospace medicine and mental health experts (psychologists).
The aim was to "provide best practices and guidance for operators and stakeholders in the field of mental health promotion," the release said.
According to the DGCA official, the circular will come into effect from May 31.
With PTI inputs