Police hold mental health lecture for officers in Osun

File image: Nigeria Police Operatives on duty.

The Osun State Police Command has organised a mental health awareness lecture for its officers to promote psychological well-being, emotional resilience and effective service delivery.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, to commemorate World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10.

The statement said the lecture was aimed at sensitising officers to “the importance of mental health in policing, considering the demanding nature of police duties, including exposure to stressful situations, security challenges, emergency responses, and other occupational pressures.”

Speaking at the programme, the Head of the Police Hospital, Osun State Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dr) Iyiola Ogundimite, said the initiative was designed to encourage officers to prioritise their mental well-being and seek appropriate support when necessary.

She noted that “good mental health is essential for sound judgment, professionalism, effective decision-making, and respectful engagement with members of the public,” the statement said.

The guest lecturer, psychiatrist Dr T. Ayantola of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, highlighted the importance of stress management, adequate rest, healthy relationships, peer support and early identification of psychological distress.

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Officers were also encouraged to “support one another, avoid stigmatising colleagues experiencing mental health challenges, and seek assistance from qualified professionals when needed,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, stressed the importance of mental health as an integral part of police welfare.

He noted that officers who were mentally and emotionally healthy were better positioned to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively while upholding the fundamental human rights of citizens, according to the statement.

Zungura urged officers to “embrace healthy coping strategies” and “maintain a proper work-life balance,” the statement said.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of its personnel to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.