Airlines increase mental health resources amid aviation crashes

Multiple recent plane crashes are now leaving many workers on edge, prompting widespread discussions about safety in the skies.

Flight crews are grappling with anxiety and stress following recent aviation incidents, with unions and airlines stepping up mental health support for their members.

“You might think you’re okay to come to work, and you get there and suddenly you break,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

In January, a military helicopter struck an American Airlines flight near a Washington D.C. airport, killing 67 people. Among the fatalities were members of a Charlotte-based flight crew. Pilots Jonathan Campos and Sam Lilley, and flight attendants Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder were the crew members killed in the crash.

RELATED: Charlotte-based crew killed when American Airlines flight collided with helicopter over DC

Emotions are high and we need to get help to people who are directly affected,” Nelson said. The union is introducing emotional support animals and working to ensure crew members have access to trained counselors through employee assistance programs.

American Airlines is offering free counseling to employees and their families across its network, while union leaders work to keep members informed about new safety measures at Reagan National.

“We want to let them know what measures are being taken at DCA to immediately try to mitigate any risk,” Nelson said. She emphasized the importance of waiting for the full investigation before drawing conclusions.

“People need that very clear information about what they can expect and what steps are being taken to stop this from ever happening again,” she said.

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