Is the stigma starting to lift in the ADF?

That gives me so much hope, @r3fresh!

It's so hard to know whether it's just because we're more comfortable ourselves (and are therefore surrounding ourselves with people who are similar), or whether it's actually changing. My Dad is in the ADF and I think he'd probably agree with you. Although maybe it has something to do with his wife and two daughters having their own mental health challenges.

I love that you and your mate were being so open and vulnerable with each other. We can break down stigma in a lot of ways, and literally just having real conversations about it with the people in our lives is a great way to do it!

How does it feel to be talking openly about getting help and your mental health experiences?

@r3fresh I would definitely agree with you. I joined in 91 and it was a very different ADF. I’m still serving in reserve capacity now.

I think lots of things have contributed to that - as a bigger Australian community mental health is more spoken about. And there’s the Royal Commission. The ADF have also brought in a lot more mental health support and training too.

It is great that people are open to talking about this stuff because connecting with others is so important to maintaining good mental health and makes it much easier to ask for help if you know other people have done it and it’s helped.

It just felt natural. Like any other conversation. I think he appreciated the chat as I could tell he was struggling.

Thank you for sharing this reflection - it highlights such an important shift that many of us have witnessed and experienced firsthand in my years of service.

Your observation about the generational change is spot on. As someone who works extensively with service-connected individuals, I see this evolution regularly. The fact that you and your mates can now openly discuss mental health challenges while others walk by speaks volumes about how far we've come from the "suck it up" "crack on" culture of decades past.

I was that 18-year-old female in 2000, new to Army. The military environment then was particularly challenging for young people navigating not just service demands but also their own identity and belonging, for me, in such a male-dominated space. At the time was completely normal to shut your trap and do your job regardless of what was going on, while adapting to an entirely new environment with limited support systems for emotional wellbeing... as a young adult.

You're absolutely right that there's still a long way to go, but conversations like yours in that hallway are creating ripple effects. When senior members model that seeking support is strength, it gives permission for others to do the same.

The hope you're feeling is well-founded. Each conversation like this is rewiring not just individual attitudes but the entire cultural nervous system of Defence.

@ccau_82 @r3fresh @Magpie22 @0ddsidian

I can't really comment on what the ADF is like now but back in 1988-1991 there was a lot of stigma. The Army did have psychologists working with them back then but when I was sent to one I refused to talk to them. After getting diagnosed I got sent back to hospital for making one off the cuff comment to someone who was treating me with discrimination. After that I opted for discharge instead of being constantly sent back to hospital every time a fellow soldier felt like dobbing me in for something minor.

@Oaktree Tanks for sharing. I’m sorry that you had that experience. It’s really sad to hear those stories, and unfortunately too common. But to see you on here telling your stories and encouraging others means a lot, and I hope helps you with some healing too.

@r3fresh

Thank you, I think it's important to share our stories so people who have experienced something similar can feel less alone. It is also a way to heal, as you say. I was, of course, disappointed at the time but if I hadn't left the Army I wouldn't have met my husband and had my kids. So, I suppose everything happens for a reason.