"Just-in-time" mental health training and surveillance for the Project HOPE mission.
BACKGROUND
Immediately before the first sailing of the USS Mercy/Project HOPE relief mission to Southeast Asia, the mission leadership initiated presailing orientation and training and a program of survey-based health surveillance for mission participants. The training and surveillance efforts included a focus on mental health aspects of the mission.


METHODS
At the conclusion of the predeployment mental health training, a voluntary, anonymous, predeployment survey was administered to members of the Project HOPE team. A second survey was administered approximately 3 months after return from the mission. The surveys were also administered before and after the second sailing of the USS Mercy/Project HOPE mission, although the training was not repeated.


RESULTS
The sample size prevented statistical analysis of predeployment and postdeployment rates of illness; however, there was no evidence of incidence beyond population baseline rates. Responses to questions regarding perceptions of mission success and personal achievement were quite favorable, whereas specific questions regarding shipboard resources, training, and professional interactions were met with more variable responses.


CONCLUSIONS
Response rates suggest a strong interest among participants in efforts to address the Project HOPE program and resources. They also suggest resilience among participants and areas for improvement in communication among participants.
Benedek
David M
DM
Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Ritchie
Elspeth Cameron
EC
D000533:Altruism; D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004190:Disasters; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007318:Inservice Training; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009013:Morale; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016730:Program Development; D012066:Relief Work; D012767:Ships; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States; D014838:Volunteers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology