POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa expressed concern at the number of attempted suicides by SAPS members who suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking at the official opening of a block of offices for the SA Police Service Medical Scheme (Polmed), Mthethwa expressed concern that many officers were shunning the psychiatric help offered, much to their own detriment.
"We further note that the voluntary enrolment onto the DRM (psychiatric disease risk management) programme is not reaping the benefits you envisaged it would have, mostly due to the fact that members do not enroll onto the programme. We must all continuously encourage our members to utilise all the freely available employee assistance services. It will be for their benefit after all.
"In many instances, they are not emotionally and psychologically equipped to handle those stressful situations which frequently lead to catastrophic impact on their mental wellness, with unfortunate outcomes," he said.
Mthethwa said that there were over 10 000 members suffering from depression, and a further 2763 who were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said that while there have been some members who have utilised such programmes, he was saddened by the perceptions held by many that going for counselling is considered "sissy or weak", adding that such misconceptions needed to be dispelled because they "are destroying and negatively affecting our members".
Mthethwa called on police unions to play a prominent role in encouraging their members to enroll in such programmes. "We are aware that the SAPS, via its Employee Health and Wellness services, does provide support to all members. What we would need to look at is the issue of capacitating these units, whether from resource, personnel or financial perspectives ..."
Mthethwa said there are currently between 3 000 and 4000 SAPS members that are receiving debriefing consultations via the Employee Health and Wellness services.
"I have therefore requested the National Commissioner of Police, General Phiyega, as part of her immediate priorities, to capacitate these important units as a matter of urgency. Like any other organisation in the world, unless we begin to invest in our human capital, we shall not succeed in eradicating crime," said Mthethwa.
He also said police management should have regular debriefing sessions for all members of the SAPS, something he said would ensure that members with underlying psychological problems are identified much sooner and are referred to psychiatrist much quicker and receive appropriate treatment much earlier.
Suicide bids by cops concern Mthethwa
POLICE Minister Nathi Mthethwa expressed concern at the number of attempted suicides by SAPS members who suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking at the official opening of a block of offices for the SA Police Service Medical Scheme (Polmed), Mthethwa expressed concern that many officers were shunning the psychiatric help offered, much to their own detriment.
"We further note that the voluntary enrolment onto the DRM (psychiatric disease risk management) programme is not reaping the benefits you envisaged it would have, mostly due to the fact that members do not enroll onto the programme. We must all continuously encourage our members to utilise all the freely available employee assistance services. It will be for their benefit after all.
"In many instances, they are not emotionally and psychologically equipped to handle those stressful situations which frequently lead to catastrophic impact on their mental wellness, with unfortunate outcomes," he said.
Mthethwa said that there were over 10 000 members suffering from depression, and a further 2763 who were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said that while there have been some members who have utilised such programmes, he was saddened by the perceptions held by many that going for counselling is considered "sissy or weak", adding that such misconceptions needed to be dispelled because they "are destroying and negatively affecting our members".
Mthethwa called on police unions to play a prominent role in encouraging their members to enroll in such programmes. "We are aware that the SAPS, via its Employee Health and Wellness services, does provide support to all members. What we would need to look at is the issue of capacitating these units, whether from resource, personnel or financial perspectives ..."
Mthethwa said there are currently between 3 000 and 4000 SAPS members that are receiving debriefing consultations via the Employee Health and Wellness services.
"I have therefore requested the National Commissioner of Police, General Phiyega, as part of her immediate priorities, to capacitate these important units as a matter of urgency. Like any other organisation in the world, unless we begin to invest in our human capital, we shall not succeed in eradicating crime," said Mthethwa.
He also said police management should have regular debriefing sessions for all members of the SAPS, something he said would ensure that members with underlying psychological problems are identified much sooner and are referred to psychiatrist much quicker and receive appropriate treatment much earlier.
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