88 4 CHAPTER 4 This ‘can-do’ attitude can also lead to a feeling of shame associated with MHC/SA. Soldier without MHC/SA (male): ‘There is also the feeling associated with MHC/SA, that it means you are not worthy of being a soldier, because MHC/SA mean you are weak, and that you cannot be a soldier.’ Facilitators for disclosure 1. Anticipated positive results Soldiers who had experienced MHC/SA themselves, indicated that a facilitator for disclosure was the expectation that it would lead to positive results. They indicated disclosing their own MHC/SA was necessary both for receiving treatment themselves and for helping others who might have similar problems. Soldier with MHC/SA (female): ‘I couldn’t do it alone; I had to do something [to recover] – so I told my supervisor’. 2. Leadership support Whereas lack of leadership support was mentioned as a barrier, positive leadership support was mentioned by all groups as a facilitator for disclosure. Participants mentioned that it is important to have a supervisor who makes time for a conversation, that the supervisor has a positive attitude towards MHC/SA and that there is a relationship of trust. MMH-professional (female): ‘It is very important that officers endorse the importance of mental health.’ Soldier with MHC/SA (male): ‘[I told my supervisor because] I just knew him so well, had worked with him for a long time. That creates a different bond than when you have only worked with someone for two years.’ 3. Work-related MHC/SA Participants mentioned that it was easier to disclose MHC/SA that were work related injuries (e.g. PTSD as a result of deployment), than non-work related MHC/SA. Work related MHC/SA yielded more respect from others in the work environment. MMH-professional (male): ‘When something that happened in public (e.g. deployment) [causing MHC/SA], it has some sort of status, it is easier to discuss that.’
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