JOIN USCops across the state are reaping the benefits of an in-house mental health programme by learning to let go of their suppressed emotions.
Since June 2018 about 35 clinical psychologists or Well-Being Officers (WBOs ), appointed by the government to every commissionerate, have been successfully addressing departmental grievances and personal health issues of the cops.
“Mental well-being is crucial considering the amount of stress policemen go through on a daily basis,” Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil said.
Mangaluru commissionerate, with its four sub-divisions and a total of 2,000 cops in 22 stations, is covered by one such WBO--Dr Nagesh B S.
“Mental weakness is a threat if it is not treated. As psychologists, we follow privacy procedures to the dot. Yet cops here are very skeptical about sharing anything but departmental grievances with me,” Nagesh said with a tinge of disappointment. He believes that frustration builds with repetitive tasks.
Nagesh told DH that the cops interact with him during their regular station visits, or visit him at his office. “I am willing to address any issues- individual/family-related/ departmental and provide counseling. All they have to do is ring me up,” he says.
Problems faced
On the basis of his interactions with police in the past nine months, Nagesh identifies hierarchy, salary payment, dejected attitude and excessive usage of mobile phone on duty as major grievances of cops in Mangaluru. They are convinced that their issues cannot be solved even before they talk to me.
Issues that cannot be solved by counseling are referred to a psychiatrist or even rehabilitation centers. A provision for referring women cops to a woman WBO from another district is available, in case of any discomfort with the male officer, he said.
Progs and provisions
Issues discussed with the WBO will be forwarded to the authorities, and solutions will be sought.
A positive outlook towards work is enforced through awareness about positive psychology.
“Thus the administrative grievances redressal has seen significant improvement,” informs Sandeep Patil.
The programme also included yoga and meditation sessions (Yoga session was organised for 300 and meditation workshop for 150 cops in November 2018).
“These sessions had received good response and I hope to conduct more programmes like these,” Nagesh added.
In one of his proposals, Nagesh has suggested that two of the weekly parades in a month should be dedicated to programmes like time and anger management workshop, coping mechanisms for depression, substance abuse and general mental health awareness.
“Overall improvements in mental well-being is something we look forward to in the long run,” says Sandeep Patil summing it up.
-Sahana S Kashyap