Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

This legislation directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise its regulations and guidance within two years to encourage individuals carrying out aviation activities, such as pilots and air traffic controllers, to seek help for and disclose mental health conditions. It amends existing law to ensure that reviews of aviation workforce mental health include recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and relevant clinical studies, requiring consultation with key stakeholders from the aviation and medical communities. The bill mandates an annual review of the special issuance process for mental health, aiming to reclassify additional medications and evidence-based treatments, enhance mental health knowledge and training for aviation medical examiners (AMEs), and potentially expand AME authority in certain mental health situations. It allocates up to $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to the Office of Aerospace Medicine to recruit and train additional AMEs, clear backlogs of special issuance requests, and provide enhanced mental health training. Furthermore, the Administrator must implement recommendations from the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee within two years, providing justification to Congress if any recommendations are not adopted. The bill also establishes a public information campaign, funded with up to $1.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029, to destigmatize mental health care, broaden awareness of supportive services, and improve trust between the FAA and aviation personnel. This campaign will involve making information easily accessible online and at AME offices, and collaborating with various aviation entities.