Navi Mumbai police officers opened their hearts to the counsellors of Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) following the inauguration of the ‘I call’ facility to help police officials tackle mental stress and depression on Monday.
The service was launched by Deputy General of Police Satish Mathur. The event was attended by Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale and Thane Commissioner of Police Parambir Singh and about 300 police officers from the Navi Mumbai and Thane Commissionerates.
The first seminar for work-related distress was conducted soon after the launch. During the counselling session, the most common problem faced by the officials were relationship issues in the family and getting along with peers and seniors at the workplace.
Popular service
TISS, which has been running the helpline for the past five years, has now extended the service to the police officers of Maharashtra and their family members. In the five years since its launch, ‘I call’ service received 40,000 calls and 4,000 emails from the common man.
Tanuja Babre, Program Associate from TISS, said, “’I call’ is a psychosocial helpline that deals with issues like depression and stress. It was introduced for the common man, but now we have extended it to police officials who deal with stress on a daily basis. They need support.”
TISS has planned to conduct free seminars at every police unit of the 36 districts in Maharashtra and give free counselling for those who approach them individually. Apart from the seminars, the officials are also free to call the helpline number and take guidance. Ms. Babre said, “By September, we will finish conducting all seminars. We will plan our next step based on Mr. Mathur’s review the impact of the service and its effect on the staff.”
Mr. Mathur said, “When it comes to physical distress, we approach the doctor immediately. But when it comes to mental distress, the treatment is delayed or in some cases never taken. Stress and depression is more hazardous than physical distress and one should not ignore its symptoms and seek help soon.”
Sharing woes
Following the seminar, about 20 police officials met counsellors and shared their problems with them. Ms. Babre said, “Most officers faced similar problems at home, including inability to spend much time with family, balancing work and personal life, handling work pressure and getting along with the colleagues.”
Common Stressors
Strained relationship with family members owing to long working hours and work pressure
Difficulty in adjusting with peers and seniors at the workplace
Inability to give personal attention to children and spend time looking into their education
Attending to behavioural issues of children at home
Anxiety over children’s future and career
Inability to be part of family functions, religious festivals and other important events
Helpline number: 25521111
