My Runway to Mental Health

My Runway to Mental Health

By Pierson Cerar

Imagine an injection of adrenaline, the faint smell of fuel, the wind rushing past the plane as if it wanted to blow it over, as the propeller bellows to life. I look to the left. I look behind me. No one. Just me and a 3,000-pound bird staring down the 5,000-foot runway. Without even thinking, I advance the throttle. The inertia throws me into the back of the seat, and at that moment I think to myself, “can I do this?” 40 knots, 50 knots, 60 knots. I clutch the controls like I'm holding on for dear life, and suddenly everything stops. No noise. No rumbling of the gravel.

No thoughts in my head. Nothing. Just as I look outside, the earth instantly turns into a mosaic.

Everything but my heart was silent. It was a moment of freedom. It was a challenging jump into the clear blue skies that gave me clarity. On that day, as the wheels separated from the tarmac, not only did I take off, but I started a journey that would forever change my life. I would have never thought I would venture into a realm where only birds dare roam. This was not just a takeoff but the start of a long romance with the freedom of the skies.

The purpose of this story is to draw connections between flying an aircraft and managing mental health. I share my experience as a pilot and the joy it brings me to emphasize the importance of finding your passion and safeguarding your mental health. It’s not only about having the privilege to fly planes when I please, but the journey I endured to find this epiphany in what makes me feel alive and free.

Everyone knows what turbulence is. We have all felt it, the violent ups and downs. I use this example to explain our daily mental challenges. The discipline and assertiveness it takes to control an aircraft directly correlate to the discipline teenagers need to navigate our daily setbacks. Like a pilot, we must stay aware of our well-being and surroundings. The seclusion of the cockpit and the often-solitary journey of managing our mental health are similar. Preparing and reacting to turbulence, bad weather, and emergencies inside the cockpit is necessary. In life we must respond to daily external pressures, expectations, and surprises. At times friends, family, and community can help; however, they can also create tension that can even depreciate our mental health. This is why we must all be equipped with the right tools and training to persevere.

My journey through the skies symbolizes a process of learning how to understand, accept, and deal with my mental health. By illustrating a personal story about finding my passion, one I couldn’t imagine two years ago, I hope to inspire you to explore what you may discover. On September 9th, 2008, a seemingly happy person, my Uncle Duffy, my dad's brother, lost his mental health battle and died by suicide at the age of 41. This loss, not only horrific and startling, occurred when I was only a young child. This left me with pieces of memories that I shared with him and a recurring feeling of loss in my family. It would be an understatement to say that research can demonstrate how suicide affects a family.

Since you began reading this, sixpeople have died by suicide, according to the CDC. The suicide of a loved one not only causes grief but leads to trauma to the people who loved that person, even the people who were too young and naive to fully understand the damage. Suicide affects people of all ages, and it is the second leading cause of death for young people from the ages of 10-14. Suicide is preventable. We all have a role to play in saving lives and creating a healthy, strong community. Many people have been touched by suicide, whether it be a direct connection or outside of your family. Knowing this, it becomes evident that discovering a passion that engages and fulfills us can serve as a literal lifeline, thus strengthening and giving us tools to help handle life's challenges. Just like the seclusion in the cockpit, there are times when we are alone. Suicidal thoughts tend to thrive in isolation. In these moments of solitude, the absence of support can highlight our fears and doubts, leading us to despair and a profound sense of loneliness. It's in these vulnerable times that finding refuge in our passions and interests can be critical to our mental health.

“Grit, contrary to the normal belief, as defined by the researchers at UC Berkley, is characterized by the long-term interests and passions, and willingness to persevere through obstacles and setbacks to progress towards goals. Grit mitigates the negative feelings to make life more meaningful” (UC Berkeley). Life requires grit, and passion equips us with grit, making life easier.

Forgiveness is also necessary, forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others. There is going to be turbulence. People are going to make mistakes. We need to be able to forgive to release the burdens of our daily lives. In embracing our passions and fostering forgiveness, we not only navigate through life's turbulence but also light a path of hope and healing for ourselves and those around us.

In the silence in the sky, I discovered more than my love for flying, but a metaphor for resilience and grit. The loss of my uncle to suicide reminds me to stay connected with family and friends. I found my passion at such a young age, now go find yours. Like flying a plane and navigating through different circumstances, finding our passion gives us the perseverance and grit to overcome life's challenges. Our passions are not just hobbies, but lights on a runway that guide us through the darkness.

Pierson Cerar, 17

University School Class of 2025