| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Explain how work of uniformed personnel affecting their mental well-being. Also write some measures to reduce mental stress at the constabulary level. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
Mental stress is a less-understood medical condition in India. Those who express the problem are termed as weak and are seen as shying away from the rigors of life. Security personnel are often exposed to a high level of the stressful environment due to strict and disciplinary environments. It many times negatively affects their ability to perform their job. It tends to become inhuman, especially to those who cannot communicate their personal issues in an appropriate forum.
Affecting mental well-being:
- In a uniformed setup, subordinate staff does not want to appear weak as the “macho man” stereotype weighs them down.
- The constabulary accounts for around 85 percent of state police and CAPFs. These personnel perform mostly remain in the background of the organisation with less recognition for their achievements and more frequent persecution for failure.
- A salary alone may not provide them with enough job satisfaction vis-a-vis the hardships they endure.
- To cope with such difficulty, personnel often resort to alcoholism and drug abuse. In the latter cases, defaulters are punished and suitable departmental action is also taken.
- Affected by daily exposure to human indecency, the shift changes, the long periods of boredom, cause serious job stress.
- Lack of rewards for good job performance, insufficient training, and excessive paperworkcan also contribute to stress.
Measures to reduce mental stress:
- Good working conditions, leave, allowances and housing should be provided as entitlements.
- Role of the police leadership: to create a working environment that provides personal fulfilment to personnel and reduces the chances of mental stress and illness.
- Increase communication with all the ranks. For this, regular Sampark Sabhas need to be conducted where personnel can air their grievances and proper follow-up action must be taken on all possible issues.
- Reward and recognition act as big motivators. So, the incentive system has to be formalised in every setup.
- Sports and cultural programmes increase bonhomie and create bonds between personnel, who support each other during crises.
- Additionally, during random inspections on the field, friendly communication with personnel on duty increases his trust in the leadership and dedication to duty.
- One common resource for police officers are employee assistance programmes (EAP). Such programs are important and should be promoted by police agencies.
Considering the importance of mental health, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to start a ‘Chaupal’ like get-together for its personnel to vent their mental agony.
