Centre for Mental Health and Society, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 3YH, UK.
Medical & Health Department, Government of Rajasthan, Rajasthan Police Academy, Jaipur 302016, India.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 18;20(3):1812. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031812.
: Evidence regarding the experience and perceptions of police personnel with suicide in South Asia is limited. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of suicide among police personnel in an Indian state. The focus was on explanations of and reasons for suicide. : We conducted 20 qualitative interviews in 2021 with police of different ranks, guided by a topic guide. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was supported by the use of NVivo 12, a qualitative software package. : We explore three intersecting key themes around suicide in the police force, including: (1) the stressful police environment; (2) expectations of mental strength; and (3) police image and help-seeking. We discuss the tensions between these themes and how to address the challenges of supporting police personnel. : To support and improve police personnel's mental well-being training and support are needed but also broader changes at the organisational level. These need to take social and historical factors into account. An increased level of suicide and mental health literacy will not only benefit the police force but also the general public, and it would be very timely with recent changes in the Indian mental health and suicide policy context.
关于南亚警察人员自杀经历和看法的证据有限。本研究探讨了印度一个邦的警察人员对自杀的生活经历和看法。重点是对自杀的解释和原因。
我们在 2021 年进行了 20 次不同职级的警察的定性访谈，访谈内容由一个主题指南指导。在使用 NVivo 12（一种定性软件包）的基础上，采用反思性主题分析方法。
我们探讨了警察部队中与自杀相关的三个相互交织的关键主题，包括：（1）紧张的警察环境；（2）对心理力量的期望；（3）警察形象和寻求帮助。我们讨论了这些主题之间的紧张关系，以及如何应对支持警察人员的挑战。
为了支持和改善警察人员的心理健康，需要培训和支持，但也需要在组织层面进行更广泛的变革。这些变革需要考虑到社会和历史因素。提高自杀和心理健康素养水平不仅将使警察部队受益，也将使公众受益，考虑到印度心理健康和自杀政策背景的最近变化，这将是非常及时的。
