IN THE NEWS — 3 Articles Related to the Germanwings Crash and Suicide and Anxiety

Article #1:  Co-Pilot in Germanwings Crash Hid Mental Illness From Employer, Authorities Say
SOURCE

New York Times, March 27, 2015, By Melissa Eddy, Dan Bilefsky, & Nicola Clark

LINK TO RESOURCE

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/pgphs34

Article #2:  Blocking the Paths to Suicide

SOURCE

New York Times, March 9, 2015, by Celia Watson Seupelmarch

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/health/blocking-the-paths-to-suicide.html

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/q73foml

Article #3:  Germanwings Flight 9525: Scared to Fly, Again?:  Don’t let the crash make your phobia return.

SOURCE

Psychology Today, Post published Mar 27, 2015, by Dr. Kevin D. Arnold Ph.D

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-older-dad/201503/germanwings-flight-9525-scared-fly-again

(shortened URL)    http://tinyurl.com/qzmsa2c

DESCRIPTION

Many questions have arisen after the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 on March 24, 2015.   Based upon all of the collected evidence, it appears that the co-pilot deliberately crashed the plane after locking the pilot out of the cockpit.  Initial data collection by authorities points in the direction of “mental illness” and depression as the questionable mental state of the co-pilot.  The evidence is based upon physicians letters found at the co-pilot’s home stating that he should not go to work.  Further, new evidence points in the direction that he took a medical leave for a number of months due to psychological problems.  Due to privacy issues, the medical establishment was not permitted to warn authorities of the pilot’s condition.  While no suicide note was found, authorities are drawing the conclusion that the act was suicide..

The three articles presented together first give a preliminary glimpse of the tragedy and the co-pilot’s condition at the time of the crash.  The second article focuses on suicide and prevention issues.  The final third article specifically addresses the anxiety that we all feel about flying after this terribly tragic event.

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is depression?
•How is depression related to suicidality?
•Discuss the actual statistics and demographics related to depression and suicide.
•How are mental health issues handled in the work place?
•How are issues of privacy, confidentiality, and psychological disorders related?
•What is “duty to warn” and “duty to protect” in psychotherapy?
•Discuss the type of anxious feelings and thoughts provoked by this type of event.  What can be done for prevention before flying?