Transformative Reforms Slash CISF Suicide Rates by 40%
Context:
Recently, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) claimed that the proactive reforms and mental health initiatives taken by them has led to a 40% decline in suicide rates of its force members in 2024.
- According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the national suicide rate is at 12.4 per lakh people in 2022.
- The CISF significantly reduced its suicide rate to 9.87 per lakh in 2024, a decline of over 40% in 2023.
Relevance:
(GS – 1) Population and Associated Issues
(GS – 2) Government Policies & Interventions, Health
The new reforms in CISF:
- Improved Communication Channels: Commanding officers now engage directly with personnel through regular visits to duty posts. Daily “briefing-debriefing” sessions are held to create a safe space for open conversations, enabling the early identification of distress.
- Online Grievance Portal: A new grievance portal was launched to ensure timely resolution of issues. This system allows monitoring at all levels, including the Director General’s office, ensuring that concerns don’t go unheard.
- Mental Health Support Services: Around-the-clock tele-counselling and personal counselling services were introduced. By September 2024, over 4,200 personnel had availed themselves of these services. One-on-one counselling has been made available for personalised care.
- Collaborative Mental Health Study: A comprehensive study on mental health was conducted in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi. The recommendations from this study are now being implemented across CISF units to address systemic challenges.
- Focus on Proactive Measures: The reforms also include addressing root causes like prolonged family separation, work-related stress, and personal issues. Tailored solutions and interventions ensure these concerns are tackled holistically.
National Suicide Prevention Strategy:
- The NSPS aims to bring the suicide mortality down by 10% by 2030.
- It provides a framework that includes multisectoral collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation for key stakeholders to implement and take actions to achieve the goal by 2030.
- The main objective of the mission is to set up psychiatric outpatient departments in all districts within five years through the District Mental Health Programmes and integrate a mental well-being curriculum into all educational institutions within eight years.
