"Keeping the peace" : relevance of the concept for mental health nursing

One only has to watch the evening news to witness the emphasis given to peacekeeping in war zones or international flashpoints and to appreciate the various resources that are directed towards preventing the (re)ignition of mass ethnic, religious, sovereignty, and economic disputes. Increasingly, acts of terrorism intrude upon and render unstable aspects of life that were once prosaic and predictable. Fear of such acts contributes to pessimism, exhaustion, and feelings of impotence, unease, and anxiety in persons and communities (Walker, 2006). In this column, we consider the potential contribution of mental health professionals towards ensuring feelings of community safety and optimism, and to reflect on "peace" and its various implications.