In search of healing narratives amongst warriors : exploring the lived experience of New Zealand Defence Force service members seeking mental health support : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

Narratives of war and of warriors exist throughout recorded human history and society’s support for soldiers in distress reflects the cultural paradigm of the period. Contemporary approaches to supporting military mental health focus on barriers to care and psychotherapy outcomes; however, little is known about the user experiences of personnel as they navigate military healthcare systems. This research project explored the narrative accounts of 21 active duty New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel who had accessed mental health support in order to understand their experiences of accessing care. Participants described their mental health recovery using a better-than-before narrative structure aligned with the hero’s journey, which involved challenges crossing the help seeking threshold and concluded with positive personal transformation. Stories of holistic recovery adopted Māori well-being heuristics to narrate the interconnection of relationships and health behaviours that supported participant healing. Participant accounts of seeking support also reflected paradoxical narratives, as the NZDF mental health system both helped and hindered personnel during their period of distress. Many of the cultural aspects of the NZDF were described as strengths but also as barriers that prevented personnel from connecting to care that was effective and meaningful to them. Narratives in this research contribute important perspectives on military mental healthcare that both celebrate the NZDF mental health system and offer opportunities to develop practices that better support personnel to navigate the many values conflicts and dilemmas they experience during their military service.