As May comes to a close, it is worth remembering it has been Mental Health Awareness Month.

The very topic of Mental Health has been discussed much more in recent years and there is a much wider acceptance of the importance of the issue. Men’s Mental Health in particular – on the basis that guys are less likely to be open to talking about the subject, even with people close to them.

One aspect is the inate fear of losing ones job and the wider impact that that brings to one’s home life.

There have been some very notable air accidents which have been attributed to mental health issues, in particular the Germanwings Airbus A320 in March 2015. The crash was deliberately caused by the first officer, who had previously been treated for suicidal tendencies and declared unfit to work by his doctor. However, he kept this information from his employer and instead reported for duty. Shortly after reaching cruise altitude and while the captain was out of the cockpit, the first officer locked the cockpit door and set the plane to fly downward in a controlled descent into a mountain.

In the helicopter industry, there has been a tendency to consider mental health issues as been primarily of importance to pilots. However, it is increasingly clear that every aspect of helicopter operations needs to be considered. For example, a passenger would expect that an engineer was in good mental health when they most recently maintained the aircraft.

With this background, HeliOffshore, the global safety-focused association for the offshore helicopter industry, has facilitated the launch of a FREE smartphone app to promote wellbeing matters – both on and off the hangar floor.

HeliOffshore Wellbeing is a practical, confidential, easy-to-use app designed for people working in the offshore helicopter industry. It is applicable whether you’re a mechanic, engineer, certifying technician, logistics staff member or supporting team, and the app provides the tools to stay mentally and physically well in a high-pressure, safety-critical environment.

Built using global guidance on mental health at work and the lived realities of aviation maintenance and logistics roles, the app provides straightforward support that fits around busy shifts, noisy hangars, changing weather and tight turnaround times.

People in onshore aviation support roles often face long shifts, fast decision-making, heavy workloads, and complex technical and organisational pressures. Studies across aviation and remote rotational work show increased risks of stress, fatigue, burnout and isolation. This app helps you recognise what’s going on, take small manageable steps to stay well, and find trusted support when you need it.

HeliOffshore Wellbeing follows evidence-based principles from global organisations on psychosocial risk reduction, mental health, and worker safety. It reflects real working conditions, respects your professionalism, and keeps support practical and straightforward.

Good mental health supports attention to detail, communication, judgement and overall safety. This app helps you stay steady, informed and supported – for yourself and for the people you work alongside.

The app has been sponsored by leasing company Milestone, and implemented by British app developer Expert Self Care Ltd, who specialise in this work, and is a FREE download from both the Apple AppStore and Google Play Store.

Helicopter operators can have a version of the app “skinned” to their corporate branding, and more information on this can be gained from HeliOffshore.