Over the past one year, the well-being of police personnel in the State has been under the spotlight following several suicides. Acknowledging the stressfull nature of their job, the Karnataka State Police has decided to appoint 59 counsellors (or well-being officers) to look after the mental health of its personnel.
“The counsellors will be attached to district police departments,” said Raghavendra Auradkar, ADGP (Recruitment and Training). "If police officials have any kind of issues, they can approach the counsellors." The modalities are being worked out in consultation with NIMHANS.
Applications have been invited from qualified counsellors for the posts. The last date for application has been extended to May 12. Applicants can remit fees to an authorised bank account until May 15.
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Mental health professionals have welcomed the initiative.
"Providing access to counsellors is one of the first steps to improve mental well-being. What may have to be added is providing an environment that destigmatises seeking help. We have to create awareness among police personnel that they can reach out without stigma," said Manoj Chandran, CEO of White Swan Foundation, a mental healthcare NGO. "If that is done, I'm sure it will do a lot of good for the well-being of the police force."
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On July 7, 2016, deputy police superintendent M.K. Ganapathy committed suicide in a lodge in Kodagu district.
A few weeks later, on July 19, a lady sub-inspector in Bengaluru attempted suicide.
On July 22, Annarao Saibanna Gamaga (48), a head contable attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion, allegedly committed suicide in the KSRP quarters in Kalaburagi.
The brother of DSP Kallappa Handibag, who committed suicide in July 2016, ended his life in October 2016.
More recently, in January 2017, a constable's wife allegedly committed suicide in the police quarters at Shivajinagar. Afsana Mallik Mujavar (24) was the mother of two children and pregnant with a third child.