We are facing a mental health challenge in this country, and any element of a person's life can be brought to work (intentionally or not). Two recent news stories reminded me of the challenges we might encounter in the workplace and the potential impacts.
About one, most will remember last October (2023) when an off-duty pilot made the news. He was riding in the cockpit of the aircraft, but as a passenger. That is apparently a reasonably common situation. There has also been a practice of allowing pilots to bypass airport security. This was explained years ago with "if a pilot wants to crash a plane, the pilot can crash a plane." Some logic may be gleaned there.
But, the 2023 incident involved a pilot allegedly doing (or attempting) just that. At 30,000 feet, this gentleman allegedly "raised his arms and pulled two large red levers that could have shut down both engines." Now, the fact is that engines could possibly be restarted in such a situation. Nonetheless, loss of power is a serious situation. One website lists it as the #2 most serious in-flight urgencies, above fire, hijacking, and more.
The situation made the national news, and the pilot is back in the news recently with an admission: "I made a big mistake." The pilot was experiencing issues regarding the death of a friend. Everyone has had such tragedy invade their existence. This pilot, though, decided it would be a sound idea to take "psychedelic mushrooms." He apparently had an expectation for the potential of hallucination and other effects in the ensuing hours. However, he inexplicably experienced those for "days."
He is charged now with putting "83 other lives in danger," with his impulse to stop the engines. Luckily, the pilots on the flight had little challenge in removing his hands from the controls and he was shown the cockpit door. Sitting in the cabin, after being excluded from the cockpit, he then allegedly reached out similarly to the lever "operating the cabin door," but a flight attendant (They are there primarily for your safety, see BLS) stopped him from opening the door. He then asked to be handcuffed.
This pilot has founded a non-profit called "don't take illegal drugs." I'm kidding. It is called "Clear Skies Ahead," with a focus on "awareness of pilot mental health, and to emphasize the importance of not being afraid to seek help." A physician quoted in the article asks "Who would you rather fly with: a pilot who is depressed, or a pilot who is depressed on medication?" There is no option for "pilot under the influence of illegal hallucinogens." While the "attempted murder charges" associated with the incident were dismissed, he still faces multiple other charges.
In the second news story, the Miami Herald reported on a vehicle accident in Miami. A "self-proclaimed social media model" has been charged with DUI manslaughter and various other charges. She allegedly told responding officers afterward that she was "from the future," and apparently was somewhat disoriented.
The police say she "reportedly blew the red light at Eighth Street, then put her foot on the gas at '100 percent acceleration,' driving nearly 80 mph on a street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph." They allege she was "under the influence of "pink cocaine," which is also called "2C" or "tusi." Officials allege that "toxicology report revealed a variety of drugs in the defendant’s system."
It might be said that she should not have been driving. The article notes that her license to drive was suspended at the time (first clue as to when not to drive). But, in the decision process, the decision to drive may occur long after the decision (usually a decision, see below) to ingest illegal drugs, or the more (perhaps) mundane alcohol.
In the broad analysis of what went wrong in these two incidents, there could be a variety of opinions expressed. Some may see the underlying similarity of congruity as the illegal drugs. In our society, there is a consensus that some people are involuntarily drugged by those around them. An article, More than a Myth, on the American Psychological Association site, concludes that involuntary drug use does occur. Thus, the presence of some chemical compounds in our society poses risks that are beyond our personal best judgment.
Nonetheless, the personal judgment remains a potential challenge. People may choose to put chemicals in their bodies. They may make decisions that are not in anyone's best interest. Those decisions may implicate the health, safety, and welfare of that person or a variety of people around them.
In the Miami instance, someone died at the accident scene and another died at the hospital. People died. The chemicals did not kill them, but the judgment of the person who ingested them was potentially impaired by those chemicals. There are reminders here, and there is reason to remain wary. What is impacting people around us, the drivers of other vehicles or the operator of equipment?
How do we remain alert to potential challenges or threats? Can we hope to spot those who are challenged with some impairment? In June, a social elite was arrested after missing a stop sign, swerving, and failing a field sobriety test. He was assessed by police officers who had training and experience in such observations and evaluations. Outward signs, above, were visually observed as were perceptions of his "glassy eyes." But are laypersons in a position to make such observations?
What do we say, to whom, and when? Is the potential for the presence of such issues in the workplace different from the mental acuity issues that will be addressed on September 18, 2024, on The Point? Does it matter what is causing the mental status concern, or is the main point recognizing and dealing with such status concerns?
