Police move to tackle high suicide rate of officers

Police authorities announced on Thursday a comprehensive plan to address the rising suicide rate among their officers. The National Police Agency (NPA) revealed the initiative following the discovery of an average of 23 police officers taking their own lives each year between 2020 and 2024, rising to 25 in 2025. This rate of 17.7 per 100,000 is more than double the 8.6 per 100,000 for other public servants.

The prevalence of suicide among police officers is attributed to the high levels of stress they experience. These officers are frequently confronted with the harrowing realities of violent crimes, disasters, or accidents in the line of duty. To tackle this pressing issue, the agency intends to introduce a mental health checkup for all police personnel every two years. Individuals identified as being at risk will receive appropriate assistance, including counseling and hospital treatment if deemed necessary.

In addition to the regular mental health assessments, the NPA plans to expand an existing routine counseling program that is currently offered to select departments to all officers. This expanded program will ensure that each police officer receives a counseling session at least once a year. Furthermore, the agency aims to broaden the scope of support services to encompass a more extensive network of assistance for police officers struggling with mental health challenges.