Psychological Intervention with Military Personnel in Rwanda

The Canadian Forces have deployed on humanitarian, peacekeeping, and peacemaking operations frequently throughout the 1990s. The circumstances that many Canadian soldiers have found themselves in while deployed have been grim. They have been witness to countless unspeakable acts and carry the burden of their experiences with them. As a result of their operational deployment, many soldiers develop stress reactions that interfere with their daily social functioning. This article reviews the psychological support provided to Canadian soldiers deployed to Rwanda in 1994. The primary intervention known as "debriefing" is also elaborated upon.