85 4 DISCLOSURE IN THE MILITARY - A QUALITATIVE STUDY Table 3. Continued Categories Subcategories Soldiers with MHC/SA Soldiers without MHC/SA Mental health professionals Masculine Workplace culture Denial of symptoms of MHC/SA. √ √ x ‘We can do it’ mind set. √ √ √ Feeling shame for having MHC/SA. √ √ √ Facilitators Anticipated positive results Disclosing to set an example and help others. √ x √ Disclosing in order to heal/recover. √ x x Leadership Support Supervisor who makes time for a conversation. √ √ x Trusting relationship with supervisor. √ √ √ Supervisor’s positive attitude towards MHC/SA. √ √ √ Work-related MHC/SA Easier to disclose MHC/SA if they are a result of work/deployment due to perception that this is respected (especially PTSD). √ x √ Note. MHC/SA = mental health condition and/or substance abuse. √ Indicates that subcategory was brought up and discussed by participants within a specific group of participants. X Indicates that subcategory was not mentioned within specific group of participants. Barriers for disclosure 1. Fear of career consequences All groups mentioned fear of career consequences as a barrier for disclosure. First, participants indicated a fear of losing their job. This was the case for all MHC/SA, but especially for substance abuse. Soldier without MHC/SA (male): ‘You don’t hear soldiers talk about drugs. You will get discharged for using drugs, so that must always remain a secret.’ Second, participants indicated a fear of not being allowed to do what they like most about their job, e.g. going on deployment. Soldier with MHC/SA (male): ‘On deployment, our officer would say ‘if I see that you are showing signs of MHC/SA, I will send you home’. Well, you definitely won’t talk about your MHC/SA anymore.’ Third, there was the fear of not being able to advance in their careers. MMH-professional (female): ‘Many soldiers don’t talk about MHC/SA, because they are afraid that when
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