Well-being training, State govt’s formula for cops to overcome stress

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated the programme, which would include yoga and counselling and is being rolled out in association with the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).

This kind of training was the “first in India,” he said, adding such an initiative covering the top most official to the lowest rank personnel had not been taken up yet for even the Defence or the paramilitary forces.

As much as Rs 10 crore had been allocated this year for the programme which seeks to ensure “peace, health and happiness for the police personnel”, he said.

Not only the 1,20,000 police personnel but also their 3,60,000 family members will undergo the programme within a year, the Chief Minister said.

The wellbeing programme comprises several levels and 358 prinicipal trainers, who would be coached in the next one year, will provide training to the police personnel and their families.

An official said a customised curriculum has been prepared after discussion on the issues faced by police personnel at different levels and ways to handle them.

There will be a systematic approach to de-stress police personnel and sessions will be held on Fridays and Saturdays for them and for their families on Sundays, the official said.

Palaniswami said the government was aware of the stress police personnel and their families undergo ‘sometimes’, due to the nature of their job.

“I believe, the programme will bring peace of mind and (improve) health,” Palaniswami said. Those with high levels of stress would be separately provided wellbeing training, he added.

On the occasion, he listed out the AIADMK government’s welfare schemes for the force such as health check-up plans and steps to bring down their work load. “Amma’s (late Jayalalithaa) government has given full freedom to the police personnel and there is no interference in their work and rule of law governs Tamil Nadu,” Palaniswami said.

Lauding the State police for being an “example” for other states be it their investigation skills, curbing crimes or internal security, he said the programme will enhance such professional capabilities further.

Police personnel have fully reined in extremist elements in Tamil Nadu and put down anti-socials by risking their lives, the Chief Minister said.

Giving some tips for keeping a good health, he advised police personnel to go in for walking, exercises, ‘dhyana’, and keep company with good disciplined people.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Ministers, including SP Velumani and D Jayakumar, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, Director General of Police TK Rajendran, Director of NIMHANS Prof Dr BN Gangadhar participated in the event.