National Guard service members decedent recovery and processing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City

ABSTRACT

In Spring 2020, the New York Army and Air National Guard (NYNG) rapidly deployed to New York City (NYC) to assist in the recovery, processing, and transport of COVID-19 decedents. This study reports on a survey conducted by NYNG service members three to six months post-mission (n = 177). Data showed that there was a dose–response relationship between mission stress exposure and decremented mental health, but certain activities were associated with better mental health outcomes. The paper also reviews resources provided by behavioral health personnel to support service members during the mission and lessons learned to inform future decedent recovery missions.

KEYWORDS:

• National Guard
• mortuary work
• mental health
• resilience
• military

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the NYNG service members for their service during that difficult time and for participation in the study. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the NYNG leadership for their assistance in implementing this study. Lastly, thanks to the VA OIG mental health experts, Dr. Teresa Lopez-Castro, Dr. Denise Hien, and the 2019 ISTSS mortuary affairs members for the consultation provided to the BH team.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability

The data collected belong to the Department of Defense and therefore are not publicly available.

Additional information

Funding

The research was funded by the Military Infectious Disease Program (MIDRP). The authors report there are no competing interests to declare. Materials for this study have been reviewed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. There is no objection to its presentation and/or publication. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official policy of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense. The investigators have adhered to the policies for the protection of human subjects as prescribed in AR 70–25.