Babcock Australasia (Babcock) is introducing a range of new and boosted mental health protections to strengthen support for aviation crews exposed to trauma.
Embedded specialist support services, including professional counselling, and an expanded peer support program are amongst the new measures being rolled out to enhance the health and wellbeing of staff, who deliver Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Search and Rescue capabilities across seven sites nationwide.
Twenty staff volunteers have recently received formal training as Peer Support Officers, expanding the cadre. The training is designed to help staff identify and understand atypical responses following high-pressure callouts or when someone is navigating broader personal challenges.
“Flashbacks and sleepless nights can be common after intense missions, but if symptoms persist for weeks or months, it may signal the need for further intervention,” Babcock Australasia Flight Operations Manager Mischa Hodalin says.
A Flight Record notification system allows crews to request a check-in with a Peer Support Officer for a one-on-one conversation, offering an approachable, informal way to seek support.
The aim is to help reduce the onset of long-term Post Trauma Stress Disorder symptoms, prolonging careers in the industry through early intervention.
“We’ve found that staff often find comfort in talking to colleagues who have had similar experiences,” Mischa said.
Staff needing further support will also have access to additional professional help as part of a new mental health pilot program, commencing later this year. The 12-month initiative will see specialist aviation counsellor Angela Garvey, Founder of Navigating Aviation, make regular visits to Babcock’s air bases to meet with crews and work with its safety team to manage any psychosocial hazards.
As part of its ongoing commitment to air crew safety and risk management, Babcock is also exploring other improvement measures, including research opportunities with RMIT sleep science experts to study the impact of pilot and air crew fatigue.
Babcock’s 325-stong aviation team, including 150 pilots and air crew officers, plays a critical role in high-stakes missions, making mental resilience a top priority.
“The physical and psychological safety of our staff is paramount,” Babcock Australasia Aviation & Critical Services Managing Director Duncan Milne said.
“This isn’t simply ticking a compliance box. It is about truly supporting each other, in what can often be a high-pressure, mentally demanding environment.”
The services will also support future aviation contracts as Babcock seeks to engage in military aviation programs across Australia and New Zealand.
Babcock runs similar peer support initiatives across its broader business operations, keeping mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of its safety strategy.
