Intensive Coping Skills Training to Reduce Anxiety and Depression for Forward-Deployed Troops

Abstract

This study provides descriptive information and 2-year outcome data on the first intensive, outpatient, coping skills training program for forward-deployed troops in the Western Pacific Ocean region. Established in February 2003 by the Mental Health Department of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan, the Outpatient Crisis Prevention Program was designed as a multidisciplinary training program to reduce anxiety and depression and to enhance the coping skills of active duty personnel. This study describes the rationale for creating the program, the patient population, and treatment outcome data collected during the first 2 years. The Beck Depression Inventory II and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered as pretraining and posttraining measures to patients who completed the program between February 2003 and February 2005 (N = 326). Results revealed that the Outpatient Crisis Prevention Program was effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and promoting healthy coping behaviors among participants. Follow-up data indicated that gains were maintained 1 month after treatment.