The psychological process of workers who access mental health services: a qualitative study focused on workers’ sense of ‘me as a worker’

ABSTRACT Although work-related stress can cause mental disorders, some workers are unwilling to seek mental health services. To provide effective support, understanding their sense of ‘me as a worker’ is important. The present study clarifies workers’ psychological process in accessing mental health services. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from five workers. Data were analysed using the grounded theory approach. The analysis identified nine categories. Findings indicated that when workers were fixated on their working roles, a strong sense of ‘me as a worker’ interfered with receiving treatment. Because these workers prioritized work, profound understanding from their supervisors, who serve as valuable people to them, is key for the former to shift their self-consciousness from work to health.