Support group for ex-ATC dealing with mental health?

[Piccolo]

I've been out of the ATC world a while now, medically retired after burning out hard. I'm still in therapy, still fighting the same demons. What's helped most for me is DBSA groups, but no one there really gets the toll air traffic takes. I've been considering starting a virtual DBSA-style group just for former or disabled ATC folks. If anyone here has interest or ideas, I'd love help getting this going. Let's be partners?

 

[Traffic.warden]

You know what? do it, yeah do it, this system chews up good controllers and spits them out like nothing and I think its exactly the kind of thing we need, I'm interested in helping however I can!, might not be much because of my current job but yeah I'm in

 

[FinalApproach]

I admire you for starting this, the stress ATC puts on people is serious. A space like this could really help many. Although I'm not in ATC, I've seen its impact on people I care about. I wish you all the best and count me in if you need help spreading awareness

 

[AmandaNYC]

This is a fantastic and much-needed idea and the immediate support from @Traffic.warden and @FinalApproach shows you've hit on a real need in our community. Building a space where people get the specific toll of this job is a huge step.

My advice from seeing groups like this succeed is to put the cornerstone of confidentiality in place before anything else. For a group of controllers to open up, the trust that the conversation stays in the room is the bedrock that everything else must be built on.