Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2005/Mental health support for Navy's deployed

Fine tuning mental health support for Navy's deployed

By Annie Casey

Navy's commitment to good mental health - especially in the Maritime/Operational environment - became more visible in November 2001. At this time two psychologists (one a Defence Civilian, the other a Reserve officer) sailed in HMAS Kanimbla and then transferred to HMAS Anzac during the latter Ship's trip back to Australia from its deployment in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

Their task was to provide mental health briefs to returning personnel and conduct screening (via written questionnaires) for symptoms of stress or other issues that may have arisen as a result of the deployment. At the time having psychologists at sea was quite a novelty. But with the passing of time and the refining of procedures, the 'novelty' has worn off and it has now become a routine part of operations for mental health teams to join Fleet units in the AO and then sail back to Australia with them.

The process known as return to Australia psychological screening (RtAPS) is still evolving and consists of a group mental health brief, followed by the completion of a few pages of questionnaires, and then an individual interview with a member of the mental health team. All of this typically occurs in the last days and weeks of deployment while en route back to Australia.

Since the tri-Service policy was introduced in 2001 over 2,400 personnel from 13 ships deploying to the MEAO have had RtAPS. RtAPS is also conducted for other selected deployments.

"RtAPS is designed to identify and assist people who may have difficulties moving from operational life to life back at home," said the Director of Navy Health, CAPT Tim Maddern. "By interviewing people enroute we can either help at the time or refer them on to an appropriate professional for follow-up."

While also conducting RtAPS, the brief for the mental health teams on the ships (usually either two psychologists or one psychologist and one Warrant Officer medic (WOMED)) includes dealing with any urgent psych issues, providing referrals to other mental health professionals for follow-up in Australia, and gathering data about mental health in the Fleet for evaluation and analysis.

A secondary, but valuable, contribution has been their ability to assist with divisional matters providing psychological reports for transfer of category and officer candidates. This makes personnel better able to manage their careers and use their respite when back in Australia.

The mental health support for returning personnel does not finish with RtAPS. Personnel may find some issues (fatigue, for example) which are 'normal' in a seagoing situation do not ease when they return home. Because of this, every member returning from operations should also receive a post sperational psychological screening (POPS) about six months after returning.

POPS are coordinated and conducted by Defence civilian psychologists from Maritime East and Maritime West Psychology, the POPS consists of a similar handful of questionnaires and a brief individual interview. Should any symptoms or issues still exist - or should new problems arise - these can then be dealt with by appropriate agencies (such as psychology, the Defence Community Organisation and the chaplaincy).

If personnel have any queries on RtAPS or POPS they should contact their local Navy Psychology service.