IT News
Imphal, Jan 5:
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, recording a 40% decline in suicide rates among its personnel. This achievement underscores the CISF’s proactive efforts to address mental health challenges that have long plagued members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), often attributed to stress, prolonged family separation, work-related pressures, and personal issues.
According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the national suicide rate in 2022 stood at 12.4 per lakh. In comparison, the CISF’s suicide rate dropped to 9.87 per lakh in 2024, marking the first time in five years that the force’s rate has fallen below the national average.
This success is attributed to a series of targeted initiatives aimed at promoting mental health and well-being. Commanding officers have adopted a hands-on approach by regularly visiting duty posts to foster direct communication under the motto, “Know Your Men and Hear Your Men.” Company Commanders conduct daily briefing and debriefing sessions to identify and address early signs of distress.
Yoga has also become a key component of daily routines, with over 650 trained instructors conducting sessions across units to enhance physical and mental well-being. Every unit ensures the presence of at least one yoga instructor. To further alleviate stress, the CISF organizes daily one-hour games sessions involving both officers and jawans, fostering camaraderie and team spirit.
An online grievance portal has been implemented to enable timely resolution of issues, with monitoring up to the Director General level. This system has significantly enhanced grievance redressal efficiency. The CISF has also collaborated with the Aditya Birla Education Trust to launch “Project Mann”, a mental health support initiative that offers 24/7 tele-counseling and personal counseling. By September 2024, approximately 4,200 personnel had utilized this service, complemented by one-on-one counseling sessions.
In partnership with AIIMS, New Delhi, the CISF conducted a comprehensive mental health study that provided actionable recommendations now being implemented across units. Additionally, recognizing that two-thirds of personnel grievances stem from posting issues, the CISF introduced a new HR policy in December 2024 to improve work-life balance. This policy emphasizes choice-based postings and includes provisions for women, married couples, and personnel nearing retirement.
