NZDF psyche programme finds favour in Vietnam

On behalf of the Directorate of Psychology Wing Commander Jennifer Atkinson has implemented a bespoke programme at Vietnam’s Peacekeeping Training Centre in support of their military’s pre and post deployments to challenging environments.

This NZDF tailored psychological support programme has been designed to assist the peacekeeping centre to support up to 300 personnel who deploy annually to UN missions in South Sudan and Central Africa. It has become such a success, it is anticipated it will become a regular fixture in the Vietnam military. 

Putting the programme together was a highlight for WGCDR Atkinson who lent on her knowledge as Head of Joint Forces Psychology and the support of fellow psychologist Captain Jessie Hansen during its development.

“It was the chance to create something alongside the Vietnamese Department of Peacekeeping, understanding their cultural context and their unique setting.”

It was also an opportunity to learn about how a much larger military operates and supports their personnel, she said. The Vietnam military has about 450,000 active personnel.

“We learned how many benefits the military has for their peacekeepers. They also have the strength of deploying in large numbers, which is a real demonstration of the protective factor when you go as contingent and have that support from your peers.

“They tend to practice mindfulness as an embedded way of life through Buddhism or visits to the pagodas and temples, so there are strengths in their culture and in their system.”

The psychological support programme evolved across three visits to Vietnam, which promoted a deeper understanding and more collaborative result, WGCDR Atkinson said.

“Initial visits by NZDF psychologists were focused on listening, learning and sharing while this third visit had Vietnam peacekeeping centre take the lead in supporting the return of their deployed peacekeepers.”

In particular the Defence psychologists gave the instructors tools and guidance on how to run post deployment transition support to enhancing wellbeing, while recognising their trainers were the best ones to speak with their people, she said.

“We had a translator who facilitated discussions between the psychologists and Vietnamese peacekeepers. But they were the ones who needed to speak with their people, which allowed the conversations to flow more freely.

“As soon as you have a translator, there's a level of formality. which is the opposite of what we were trying to create.”

When New Zealand Defence Force Defence Attaché for Vietnam, Group Captain Shauna Graham visited the Peacekeeping Centre in Hanoi in 2023, she recognised a shared challenge, preparing and supporting personnel for the psychological demands of long and complex deployments. 

With initial funding support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, GPCAPT Graham set the idea into motion.

“The programme has delivered real and measureable results, not only by improving the wellbeing of individual peacekeepers, but by strengthening the trust, understanding and cooperation that define our strategic relationship with Vietnam,” she said.

“It’s a two-way street where New Zealand gains valuable insights and understanding of those missions. Vietnam benefits from New Zealand’s approach to psychological readiness and post-deployment care.”

Vietnamese personnel are typically deployed for a year and there was a desire from the Vietnam Peace Keeping centre to provide psychological support for both readiness and post deployment transition.

“One senior female officer served back-to-back missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Her resilience and dedication were remarkable – we can all learn from that.

“New Zealand’s own experience in Afghanistan and East Timor have shaped our understanding of resilience and mental health support. By sharing these lessons, both nations strengthen their people and their partnership,” GPCAPT Graham said. 

“The initiative exemplifies Defence diplomacy in action. Achieving meaningful, personal outcomes for peacekeepers while building enduring strategic trust between New Zealand and Vietnam.”