USC Delegation Visits Decompression Site for Canadian Forces

10 Dec 2010 | posted by Center for Innovation and Research | in CIR News Archive

Dr. Jeffery Wilkins (Lincy Foundation), Dr. Anthony Hassan (USC), Dean Marilyn Flynn (USC), COL Darc Keller (California National Guard), and Dr. Carl McKnight (Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health)

From November 29th to December 3rd, a small delegation from USC’s School of Social Work traveled to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus at the invitation of Major P.J. Crow of the Canadian Forces, to observe the decompression program for Canadian servicemembers finishing their deployments. The USC delegation included Dean Marilyn Flynn and Dr. Anthony Hassan (USC School of Social Work), Dr. Jeffery Wilkins (Lincy Foundation), COL Darc Keller (California National Guard), and Dr. Carl McKnight (Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health).

Canada’s Third-Location Decompression (TLD) model is based on the understanding that all servicemembers have directly or indirectly shared painful or distressing experiences during their deployment, and that spending some time in a location that is neither a military base nor home will help them prepare themselves both mentally and emotionally for their return to life at home base and in the community. The program is held at the Azia Resort and Spa near Paphos, and offers groups of approximately 150 servicemembers five days to unwind and re-acclimate to civilian life before finishing their journey home.

Azia Resort and Spa, near Paphos, Cyprus

Canadian servicemembers attend a mental health briefing

During their stay at the resort, they are required to attend four hours of mental readiness training. Afternoons and evenings are left free, so that servicemembers can use the hotel’s spa or explore the island’s historical sites, restaurants, and beaches. Upon their return home, these servicemembers receive additional training and a follow-up meeting 60 days later to evaluate their transition back into their communities.

The USC delegation had the opportunity to observe, interact, and interview staff and returning servicemembers participating in the TLD program, and discovered a high level of satisfaction among the program’s participants. According to evaluations conducted by the Canadian Forces, there is consensus that the TLD program is valuable as both a component of the decompression process and as a phase of the transition process, which begins prior to deployment and continues after the servicemembers’ return home. Although a family component has not yet been incorporated into the program, the Canadian Forces recognize the need to include family members in the process and plan to introduce this component into the program.