Mental health in the military context : emotional states and help-seeking behaviours during conscription

Introduction: Mental health problems and help-seeking behaviours for them in the military context has become an important topic of research. Most of the current studies address the topic among service members and mission veterans. These studies indicate that the fear of being stigmatized is a considerable obstacle towards seeking help. There is, however, something of a knowledge gap concerning mental health among conscripts. Traditionally, the military ethos has promoted self-reliance, duty, as well as other masculine qualities. These qualities are instilled in conscripts during their time in the service. A strict adherence to the military ethos and these masculine values can, however, hinder help-seeking behaviours among recruits. Purpose: To explore changes in the mental wellbeing of conscripts and their attitudes towards help-seeking during the conscription period by analysing their emotional states and tracking their interactions with support services. Method: In order to research changes in the mental wellbeing of conscripts during their conscription service, an emotional state questionnaire (EST-Q2) was administered three time times over the course of the service period. The questionnaire was part of a more complex survey. In order to evaluate how well the conscripts were able to adapt to the service and cope with stressors, the results, in relation to the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other problems, were analysed. Help-seeking behaviours among conscripts finishing their service were also analysed in order to provide more information about the use of mental health support services. Results: The prevalence of symptoms related to depression and anxiety increased during the course of conscription, whereas the problems related to social phobias, mental exhaustion and sleep disturbances somewhat decreased. According to the results, approximately half of the conscripts present during the 3 phase of the survey did not have any contact with any of the designated support services (a psychologist, social worker, or chaplain).