Address mental health in police service – NGO
By Tony Nkhoma
THE rising mental health challenges among police officers in the country is a serious source of concern, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health awareness has said.
Swala Pilu executive director Mary Kufanga said it was regrettable that the police officers charged to keep law and order and maintain security in the country were the worst hit by mental health problems.
Kufanga told The Mast in an interview the mental health crisis facing police officers needed serious attention.
“We call upon the police command to urgently address the growing mental health challenges within the service before more lives are lost,” she said.
A police officer identified only as Constable Kabamba, popularly known by his colleagues as “Red Linso the Welder”, took his own life while on duty at the Ministry of Water Development in Lusaka.
According to preliminary information obtained from sources close to the scene, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
Kufanga expressed worry that barely a month another police officer had taken his own life using an AK-47 rifle in an unexplained circumstances.
She appealed to the Inspector General of Police to convene an urgent meeting with the offices from the all ranks to openly discuss the grievances and identify lasting, practical solutions to the pressures they faced in their line of duty.
“As Swala Pilu, an NGO dedicated to suicide, we call upon the police command to urgently address the growing mental health challenges within the service before more lives are lost,” Kufanga said.
Kufanga called for serious prayers seeking God’s intervention.
“Furthermore, as a faith-based nation we urge all Christians in Zambia to rise in prayer against this spirit of suicide that has continued to take the lives of many especially the youths. Let’s join hands in prayer and collective action to protect life and restore hope in our Communities,” Kufanga said.
