130 police suicides in eight years: Kerala Kaumudi series prompts wellness centres in 19 districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: District Police Wellness Centres will be set up in all 19 police districts in Kerala to provide mental health support to police personnel amid a rise in suicides in the force, according to an order issued by the Director General of Police. The centres will offer confidential treatment to personnel dealing with mental stress and help identify mental health problems at an early stage. Counselling and psychological support will be provided, while those struggling with addictions or family and financial problems will also receive assistance. Personnel requiring specialised care can be referred to hospitals and de-addiction centres. The Police Welfare Bureau will meet the expenses.

The move follows a series published by Kerala Kaumudi highlighting the increase in suicides among police personnel due to work-related stress and pressure. The series had also highlighted the practical difficulties faced by personnel who had to travel to Thiruvananthapuram to access counselling services. The decision to establish wellness centres in the districts comes in the wake of these concerns.

The centres will maintain strict confidentiality regarding those seeking treatment. Their details will be recorded using codes, and treatment records will not be linked to their official service records. Counselling will also be available to family members, with follow-up assessments conducted at regular intervals.

Each centre will have a centre head, a psychologist and a wellness coordinator. An inspector nominated by the district police chief will serve as the centre head. A state-level monitoring committee will review the functioning of the centres every three months. Psychologists will be appointed from among candidates with a postgraduate degree and an MPhil in Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Applied Psychology. The wellness coordinator will be a police officer with a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Resource Management, Counselling or Public Administration. Appointments will be based on a written examination and interview.

Two days' duty leave for treatment

The privacy of personnel seeking treatment will be protected. Their names, health condition and family details will remain confidential and cannot be shared with colleagues or senior officers without their consent.

Those visiting the centres will be granted two days' duty leave for treatment. Any breach of confidentiality will be treated as a serious offence and will be a reason for dismissal from service. Seeking treatment at a wellness centre cannot be taken into account in any disciplinary action.

A 24-hour helpline will be available for emergency assistance and appointments. The services will include relaxation techniques, family therapy, anger management, conflict-resolution training and cognitive therapy.

“The wellness centres will help reduce mental stress among police personnel. The stress arising from long working hours, exposure to violence and tragic incidents needs to be addressed.”

— Ravada A Chandrasekhar,

Police Chief