title: Evaluation of a third-location decompression program for Canadian Forces members returning from Afghanistan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Service members returning from combat can experience difficulty adapting to home life. To help ease this transition, the Canadian Forces provides a Third-location Decompression (TLD) program in Cyprus to members returning from deployment to Afghanistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 5-day program consists of individual free time, structured recreational activities, and educational programming. Its perceived value and impact were measured immediately afterward and 4 to 6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents overwhelmingly supported the TLD concept, with 95% agreeing that "some form of TLD is a good idea." Eighty-one percent of participants found the program valuable, and 83% recommended it for future deployments to Afghanistan. Perceived value persisted 4 to 6 months after return, and 74% felt that it helped to make reintegration easier for them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canadian Forces members saw value in the TLD program, and most members believed that the program had its intended effect of making the reintegration process easier for them.
authors.affiliation: Deployment Health Section, Canadian Forces Health Services Group Headquarters, 1745 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa, ON K1A 0K6, Canada.
authors.forename: Bryan G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zamorski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D002170:Canada; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D003535:Cyprus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011998:Recreation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare