PREVENTIVE MENTAL-HEALTH INTERVENTIONS IN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS TO SOMALIA AND HAITI

Mental health interventions of the 528th Combat Stress Control unit to limit the numbers of psychiatric casualties on recent peacekeeping mi ssions are discussed, Similarities and differences in the mental healt h support of Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) and Operation Uphold Dem ocracy [Haiti) are reviewed, The mission to Somalia was marked by unex pected combat casualties. The mission to Haiti was marked by unexpecte d self-inflicted casualties. Lessons learned by mental health officers serving on these missions are discussed. Recommendations for preventi on of psychiatric casualties on future missions are presented.