AIMAN INAM

PARIS: Scientists here have discovered that hundreds of commercial airline pilots may be flying all over the globe while suffering from (uncured) depression.

The study ascertained that due to the constant worry of being grounded or laid off, the pilots come out with this syndrome.

So as to determine this, they have conducted a survey comprising 1,850 pilots from over 50 states. Most of them have been reported from US, Canada and Australia.

More pilots complained apropos going through failure of attention. Many considered themselves as a failure, while many complained of lack of attentiveness and suicidal thoughts etc.

Their findings suggested that around 14 percent of them have been reported with the warning signs of depression. Whereas, some four percent have gone through the suicidal feelings.

The study lead author and a public health researcher at Harvard University in Boston, Joseph Allen noted: “It is understandable that pilots are reluctant to fully disclose mental health issues because of the potential that they will be grounded or declared not fit for duty.

“With roughly 140,000 active pilots flying more than 3 billion people worldwide each year, the survey results should put the airline industry on notice that many pilots need better access to mental health screening and treatment.”

The study also exposed that those pilots, who take sleeping pills excessively and experienced sexual or verbal pestering, are more prone to have depression.