Don’t stigmatise depression after Germanwings crash, says top doctor
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/28/germanwings-plane-crash-alps-depression-doctor
Britain’s most senior psychiatrist has warned airline authorities to avoid a kneejerk reaction to the crash of the Germanwings flight, insisting that depression should not lead to a lifetime ban for commercial airline pilots.
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Claims that Lubitz, 27, suffered a prolonged period of severe depression in 2008 and may have concealed continuing problems have prompted calls for those with a history of the disorder to be prevented from flying for commercial airlines.
In a sign of continued nervousness in the light of the tragedy, there were reports on Saturday of pilots offering personal assurances to passengers. One woman tweeted: “Pilot on my @Delta flight announces he and co-pilot are ex-military and ‘we both have wives and kids and are very happy’.”
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Since the crash, questions have been raised about European Union regulations that permit pilots to fly for commercial airlines a minimum of four weeks after symptoms of depression have been resolved. Pilots are also allowed to fly if they are free of symptoms but on approved antidepressants.
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Dr. Wessely sagely informs the uninitiated public that:
'there is no link between depression and aggressive suicide'.
Glad the experts are weighing in to maintain some balance in the discussion, and to avoid unnecesary marginalization of those with mental issues.
