This year, Mental Health Week invites us to take off the masks.
To acknowledge what makes us vulnerable, without shame or pretense.
And in a field like aviation—where performance often seems to come before emotion—this message is more relevant than ever.
Helping You Grow Wings: Our Commitment to Mental Health in Aviation
At Select Aviation College, we believe that a strong start in aviation begins with strong human support. That’s why mental health is at the heart of our educational mission. It lives through every action, every gesture, every resource we offer our pilot students — because Help people grow wings isn’t just a slogan. It’s a philosophy.
A Unique Reality in Aviation
In the world of aviation, expectations are high, pressure is constant, and the pace is intense. While some airlines choose to fast-track new pilots, we’ve made a conscious decision to offer deeper guidance from the very beginning.
Aviation is more than just a flight training program — it’s a demanding way of life. Our student pilots are expected to plan certain activities independently, attend others scheduled by the College, absorb vast and complex technical knowledge, all while navigating a steep learning curve.
To that, add the challenge of living independently for the first time for many: managing their time, meals, and household routines. This transition can be overwhelming—especially when everything changes at once.
Peer Support: A Valuable Bond
For years, peer support has been a cornerstone of our community. Students like Jacob Côté and Anthony Gauthier-Vachon have provided invaluable help to newcomers adjusting to college life. Still, no matter how strong that solidarity is, it can’t replace access to professional mental health resources.
And that’s exactly why we’ve taken action.
Giving Meaning to the Experience
Select Aviation College also offers several dynamic student committees where student pilots can get involved based on their interests and availability:
- The Green Committee
- The Safety Committee
- The Student Council
These spaces allow students to take part in meaningful projects, build a sense of belonging and achievement, and support their personal balance.
We also host large-scale community events — buzzing with energy — including annual team building activities that strengthen the bonds within our cohorts. No matter where they are in their journey, our student pilots get the chance to build strong connections with both peers and industry professionals. This kind of networking is often underestimated, but it’s key to success in aviation.
Mentorship: Easing the First Steps
Recently, the Student Council launched a mentorship program pairing each first-year student pilot with a more experienced peer. Sometimes, a single conversation can make all the difference—long before they even set foot on campus.
A Soft Landing: Our Onboarding Week
To better equip our student pilots from the start, we’ve introduced a full week of onboarding and integration. The goal: help them navigate the mental, emotional, and practical challenges that come with learning to fly. This week includes:
- An introduction to the aviation-specific academic structure
- Insights into learning styles and study methods
- Practical tips on financial literacy, motivation, and self-discipline
- An overview of College policies
- Meaningful discussions about balance, personal challenges, and consent—especially within a multicultural environment
GuardMe: Support, Anytime
To strengthen our commitment even further, we’ve partnered with the GuardMe app, now available to our entire student community. This confidential service provides 24/7 access to professional mental health support—no matter the issue.
Sometimes, it’s easier to open up to a neutral voice. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of clarity and courage.
Building Connections, Growing Wings
Learning to fly also means learning to recognize your limits, seek support, and build strong connections. Throughout the year, we offer concrete tools to help our community thrive: mentorship, student committees, team building events, onboarding week, and access to GuardMe—anytime.
During this year’s Mental Health Week, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a space where student pilots can safely unmask—free of judgment—and find the support they need to rise again.
At Select Aviation College, learning to fly goes hand in hand with learning about yourself: knowing who you are, respecting your needs, and listening to your inner compass. Because no one can take flight if they’re not grounded first.
Help people grow wings
