The topic of mental illness is a sensitive one for most people. Even though it is common and not at all abnormal, many don’t like to talk about it and feel uncomfortable discussing it. Misconceptions and societal attitudes about psychological disorders create challenges for those suffering from them, barring them from full societal inclusion.

On October 22nd, this problem played a key role in the Alaska Airlines crash attempt. In the middle of a flight, off-duty pilot Joseph David Emerson attempted to turn off the plane's engines with all 83 passengers still on it. Emerson even tried to say, “I’m not okay,” before his crash attempt, showing that he was also aware of his faulty decision. Fortunately, the flight crew subdued him and safely made an emergency landing, and afterward, he was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder. At face value, this may simply seem like a story about a criminal who tried to murder his passengers and crewmates. But to know the whole story in context, we must first ask: Why did this happen? And is our society somehow to blame?

After being taken into custody, Joseph Emerson finally revealed that he was suffering from depression. Formally referred to as major depressive disorder in medical terms, this is considered one of the most prevalent mental health conditions. Some may argue that Emerson should have seen a psychiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment, which could have prevented severe episodes such as this incident. However, before blaming him, it is crucial to contemplate how society fuels and worsens psychological disorders. 

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), pilots must report mental health condition issues to maintain a safe working environment. But there’s a catch: pilots who are diagnosed cannot continue working. While some pilots with mental illnesses have successfully returned to the workplace, this can only occur after a six-month-long process requiring a multitude of documents and exams. Therefore, most pilots are afraid of sharing their mental issues if they want to keep their jobs and continue getting paid.

If we truly want people to freely share their mental issues, receive diagnoses, and get treatment, we must protect them. However, society does not protect nor support them; instead, it places burdens on them. Psychological disorders are often wrongfully portrayed in popular media as exclusive to criminals and the “insane,” but they affect a diverse range of individuals in real life. Data from Mental Health America shows that 19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. This is equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans. Since this data only includes people a psychiatrist has diagnosed, the number is likely much higher after considering those who have not yet sought or received a diagnosis. We must understand that psychological disorders do not selectively impact those with weak minds or impoverished environments; anyone can experience them as a natural part of life. 

The October 22nd incident was just one example of what happens when an individual grappling with mental health challenges is unable to seek assistance due to the stigma and fear of job loss. While the flight crew was able to keep this particular situation from escalating, there is still the potential for similar occurrences to arise at any moment. To combat this, society must protect people with psychological disorders in order to protect others around them. This starts with productive conversations about mental health, acknowledging that it can happen to anyone, at any time, and any place. Instead of wondering how to avoid people with mental illnesses, we must wonder how to effectively support them — because in doing so, we ultimately support society as a whole.

This article was edited by Grace Hur.