That was the experience of most of the people I interviewed. As I said, only two of them were diagnosed prior to leaving the military. The majority of them were struggling to get that diagnosis recognized so they could get the support they were entitled to. In one case they had been diagnosed but were never told they had this diagnosis.
None of the members I interviewed were released voluntarily; they would say they were pushed out. One had struggled with severe depression. One was released because after 27 years in the military he developed a fear of flying. It had nothing to do with where he was flying; it was some irrational fear of flying. So he was released.
I think there needs to be some way for them to access that diagnosis, and for streamlining once they get the diagnosis. I understand it's important that they get a valid diagnosis, but they shouldn't have to wait and fight for years to get the compensation and support they deserve. It adds stress on stress.
In one case, after he'd been to the private psychologist to get all the forms and the diagnosis was done, the forms sat on the counter for six months. He could not do it. I don't know if they are filled out yet, but when I had the interview they were still sitting on the counter. She said he can't. He can't come out of his bedroom for days on end, let alone sit at the kitchen table and fill out all these forms.
She was busy working full-time. He was released without a disability pension, so she was working full-time, plus overtime, in order to provide for him and the five children. There was no way she had the time to fill out the forms. There needs to be some way of getting them the support so that happens.