In 2012, while in Afghanistan, Canadian soldier Brian McKenna faced moral challenges when he had to let child traffickers pass during vehicle searches for explosives. This experience, among others, led to his diagnosis of moral injury, a psychological harm stemming from actions or situations that conflict with one’s ethical beliefs. Concerns are rising about moral injuries among military personnel, especially with their involvement in COVID-19 responses, such as assisting in long-term care facilities. The Department of National Defence is funding research with the goal of providing insights into this less understood aspect of psychological trauma, distinct from posttraumatic stress disorder.
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