IPAAC 2024 Breakout Sessions

Pilots

(Mod: Peter Whitten, CEO IPAAC)

This breakout session will look at new areas specific to pilot peer support. The session will revolve around two presentations, the first of which is by Dr Billy Hoffman detailing the results of a parallel study his department ran on healthcare avoidance in Flight Attendants. Billy will also give this presentation to the Flight Attendant breakout session, so we will have to share him! The numbers generated by this study should form a basis for further discussion on healthcare avoidance behaviour in pilots generally, the reasons that lie behind it (which will vary from country to country but revolve around the theme of fear of loss of medical) and ways forward to address this critical barrier.

The second presentation will be by Dr Cristian Panait, the medical expert from EASA, detailing the findings and subsequent actions of the EASA implementation survey EVT.011 which was published shortly after the IPPAC conference last year, so he is able to go into more detail than was possible in Cologne. This should provide plenty stimuli for discussion points.

Flight Attendants

(Mod: Heather Healy, Director AFA EAP)

The Objective of The Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew breakout session will be to educate attendees on the unique experiences, challenges and protective factors of Flight Attendants/Cabin Crew as it relates to mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew breakout session will provide attendees with:

1) an understanding of the services and supports available through two North American Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew peer programs whose utilizations exceed corporate EAPs

2)an overview of Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew health care avoidance trends from a 2024 survey.

3) a reflection on the impact of Asian culture of Flight Attendants'/Cabin Crew Members' understanding and recognition of behavioral health issues.

4) a discussion on how best to advance Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew Member wellbeing through IPAAC.

Air Traffic Control

(Mod: Jaco van der Westhuizen and Bron Sanderson, IFATCA)

The ATC session will focus on sharing experiences from ANSPs on how they have journeyed to set up a peer support programme, the challenges as well as the small victories and lessons learned along the way. The session will draw on the experience of the facilitators as well as the audience in sharing about the business case for peer support, peer selection, training and the referral network.

Mechanics

(Mod: Ken Morse, AA EAP, and Annie Indzeoski, Westjet Safety Manager)

1. Introduction and Welcome (10 minutes)

Welcome by Ken and Annie
Introductions from attendees
- Name:
- Airline:
- Role:
- Purpose for attending this session and what you hope to accomplish or learn.

2. Panel Discussion: Identifying Common and Unique Issues (30 minutes)

Open panel discussion with representatives from various regions
Identify and discuss common challenges and unique issues faced by different teams

3. Sharing Best Practices (30 minutes)

Each group shares best practices implemented within their teams
- Implementation
- Manpower
- Training
- Tools
Discussion on the effectiveness and adaptability of these practices

4. Brainstorming Session: Creating a Global Peer Support Resource (30 minutes)

Interactive brainstorming session to develop a global Peer Support resource
Discuss how this resource can be used for mutual assistance and collaboration

5. Summary and Next Steps (5 minutes)

Recap of key points discussed
Outline of next steps and how to implement the ideas shared

Q&A session

Providers and Professional Support

(Mod: Aedrian Bekker, CAP)

(note: for reasons of commercial sensitivities, delegates who are interested in attending this session must pre-register with Aedrian on aedrian@centreforaviationpsychology.com)

Objective:

Peers are the beating heart of any peer support programme. In order for them to fulfil their role, it is essential that these programmes are run safely and efficiently. Doing so can be challenging and resource intensive for those who manage these programmes as well as the medical and mental health professionals who support the peers. This session is intended to be an open and frank ‘roundtable' on the shared challenges, insights and potential opportunities for collaboration across all programmes. This workshop will focus on the following topics:

1) Challenges faced by programme managers and health professionals supporting peers;

2) User and stakeholder engagement;

3) Shared (and differing) operating expectations and standards;

4) Developing a meaningful evidence base

Who is this for:

Programme managers and administrators
Health professionals supporting peer support programmes
Researchers investigating this field
Accountable programme managers
Active peers involved in programme leadership positions