The Kiwi pilots' union says it is training pilots to look out for one another, following a report that found thousands of pilots could be suffering depression.
The international survey of 3500 pilots, conducted by Harvard University's Professor Joseph Allen, found almost 13 per cent met the criteria
for depression, in line with other high-stress jobs around the world.
NZ Airline Pilots Association medical and welfare director Herwin Bongers, a working pilot, said flying planes was not any different to the needs of others in high-stress professions.
"When you consider the pressures of the job and work practises, fatigue and then the family pressures around flying, it's no surprise pilots feel the stress and strain of the profession.
Kiwi pilots have long depended on medical screening and self reporting but NZALPA, which represents more than 2300 pilots and air traffic controllers, has also introduced a peer assistance network and peer assistance training for its members.
Training is ongoing and more pilots are opting to become Peer Support Volunteers as awareness grows.
"Aside from regular psychometric testing and vigorous medical protocols, we've identified that the first port-of-call seems to be fellow pilots," Bongers said.
"We've established a highly trained network of peers who regularly act as a 'safe harbour' for their colleagues - they're people they can speak to who understand the pressures."
Jetconnect is the programme's first financial stakeholder airline, while meetings to identify other key stakeholders for the scheme are ongoing.
Unlike overseas, it's required by law for medical professionals in New Zealand to report any knowledge of something that might deem a pilot unfit to fly.
"Mental health issues are a normal part of society, but elevated levels are found in high-stress jobs," Bongers said. "But by encouraging honest reporting to become common practice and making it safe for our pilots to announce any issues, we'll make a lot of progress.
"At the moment, the information is disseminating at a grassroots level. However, the more we support our colleagues and prominent people talk about mental health, the easier it will be for professionals to report."
"We've also ensured pilots who do report are well taken care of and given good wrap-around insurance that protects their income, can offer them meaningful work in other roles, and provide them with the appropriate recovery and supervision."
"The focus always needs to remain on the person going through recovery and on positive outcomes, as what's good for pilots is safe for the travelling public," Bongers said.
