RESUMEN
Mental health interventions of the 528th Combat Stress Control unit to limit the numbers of psychiatric casualties on recent peacekeeping missions are discussed. Similarities and differences in the mental health support of Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) and Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti) are reviewed. The mission to Somalia was marked by unexpected combat casualties. The mission to Haiti was marked by unexpected self-inflected casualties. Lessons learned by mental health officers serving on these missions are discussed. Recommendations for prevention of psychiatric casualties on future missions are presented.
Asunto(s)
Personal Militar , Psiquiatría Militar/organización & administración , Estrés Psicológico/prevención & control , Adaptación Psicológica , Haití , Humanos , Servicios de Salud Mental/organización & administración , Personal Militar/educación , Personal Militar/psicología , Somalia , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
The initial weeks of Operation Uphold Democracy were marked by a high rate of major axis I disorders among soldiers presenting for treatment at the 528th Combat Stress Center. The mission to Haiti was also marked by three suicides during the first 30 days. The author explores psychodynamic sources of stress that may have contributed to the high level of psychiatric acuity observed during that first month. Then, distinctions are made between psychiatric conditions that present in combat and those that occur on peacekeeping missions.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos de Combate/epidemiología , Personal Militar/psicología , Suicidio/estadística & datos numéricos , Haití , Humanos , Incidencia , Sistemas de Socorro , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Estados Unidos/etnologíaRESUMEN
Two hundred thirty-nine soldiers from the 28th Combat Support Hospital were evaluated for stress and arousal during deployment preparations for Operation Uphold Democracy. We measured stress and arousal using the Stress Arousal Checklist and found increased levels of arousal in officers and older soldiers. We also found higher levels of arousal in soldiers reporting a greater number of hours of sleep during the preceding 24 hours. We found no significant difference in stress scores for several demographic and coping behavior groups. Based on lower arousal scores, younger, sleep-deprived, and enlisted soldiers may be at the highest risk for accidents during deployment preparations.