Stigma sees Diggers shun ADF trauma aid SOME Australian Defence Force officers suffering from post-traumatic stress because of their military service are seeking help outside the Defence health system because they fear they will jeopardise their chances of promotion if they let on they have a mental health issue. Former army chief Peter Leahy, who heads the Soldier On charity set up to help personnel wounded physically and mentally, told The Weekend Australian he had heard of officers paying for outside help so that word of their problems did not get back to the ADF.