Individual and organisational factors contributing to the mental health and suicide risk of current and ex-serving Navy Clearance Divers

Abstract

Objective: Military service is inherently stressful, and a high prevalence of mental ill-health and suicide is reported among the veteran community. The current study examined the experiences of Navy Clearance Divers and factors that may be related to their mental health and suicide risk.

Method: Current and ex-serving Australian Clearance Divers (n = 135) completed a mixed-methods survey in June 2021 on the impact of service on their mental health.

Results: Fifty-five per cent of participants reported suffering a mental health issue, 40% had considered suicide, and 68% were concerned about another Clearance Diver's suicide risk. Transitioning out of active service presented practical, emotional, and social challenges. Qualitative analysis revealed four organisational factors (organisational culture, leadership, workplace support, and work environment) and five individual factors (attitudes to mental health treatment, experience of trauma, health and behaviour, emotional and social factors through transition, and experience of transition processes) that may be contributing to the poor mental health and high suicide risk.

Conclusions: Several systemic organisational problems may be contributing to poor mental health and wellbeing within Australian Clearance Divers, and improvements to mental health support and the transition process are required. Defence leadership is committed to enacting systematic change.

Keywords: Occupational mental health; military service; occupational stress; suicide.