Purpose

To develop a pilot program for transitioning Navy Clearance Divers to gain an understanding of the importance of social connection and build skills aligned to their self-identified civilian values and goals

Context

A key factor for transitioning CDs is dealing with the loss of a strong team culture. A recent survey indicated that 85% of personnel take pride in being a CD and 70% consider it a core part of their identity. Within recent psychological research, there is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that when people lose valued group memberships this has detrimental effects on mental health and well-being and increases the risk of depression and relapse. Unfortunately, the loss of team identity and social connection are often overlooked within the CD transition process.

Solution

Our team at The University of Queensland have developed a new program that directly targets issues of identity change and management in the retirement transition — for the general workforce and elite sport populations. Both GROUPS 4 HEALTH: Retirement and GROUPS 4 HEALTH: Sport help people to manage their identity as they transition towards and through retirement; giving them the knowledge, skills, and strategies they need to engage in healthy forms of identity change.

The program aims:

1. Raise awareness of the identity changes that people face during career transitions.
2. Help individuals map out their identities and the relationships between their identities, using the Social Identity Mapping tool (see example right).
3. Introduce ways to understand and manage identity loss, identity maintenance, and identity gain.
4. Work with people to extend and enhance their identities in ways that support their future goals and values.

These programs are successful adaptations of a parent program called GROUPS 4 HEALTH that has been shown in three clinical trials to reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness and increase group connectedness in those experiencing vulnerability in periods of life change. GROUPS 4 HEALTH is well-placed to be adapted further to be fit-for-purpose to support CDs in their separation from RAN.

Contact: [email protected]