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The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) is demanding immediate reforms to address the pressing mental health challenges faced by police officers and strengthen the fight against crime.

This call follows alarming numbers of police suicides and rising mental health concerns within the South African Police Service (SAPS). According to POPCRU, the issue of police mental health is particularly pressing as crime rates surge, and officers face unprecedented levels of violence, trauma, and stress.

POPCRU Nation Treasurer Thulani Nsele warns, “Crime and violence in South Africa is rampant, placing officers’ lives in constant threat – especially given the current levels of understaffing. The horrific situations they encounter and the dangers they face working at the frontlines every day are taking a very heavy toll on their mental well-being. Meanwhile, the psychological support they receive is completely inadequate, and current policies and systems often work to undermine mental health rather than protect it.”

Pointing to the depth of the issue, a 2024 Mental Health Report by Polmed, the medical scheme for SAPS employees and their dependents, reveals that a staggering 17.7%% of its members have sought care for mental health conditions, with concerns ranging from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Of these, 50% do not have a registered chronic condition and are considered otherwise healthy.

The Scheme has a 7.4% prevalence of depression, which represents a total of 36 000 individual lives. Of these, 5.4% have been diagnosed with the condition. Additionally, the number of mental health admissions for alcohol use disorder had nearly doubled in 2024 compared to 2021.

Policy gaps in SAPS mental health support

In response, POPCRU has urged SAPS leadership, the Department of Police, and relevant stakeholders to prioritise the mental well-being of law enforcement officers by implementing urgent policy changes. Nsele states that the first step needed is to redress the current Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EHWP), which remains critically under-resourced and incapable of managing the growing mental health needs of its members.

The SAPS recently reported that it has as few as 621 health and wellness employees to support its employees. Additionally, the majority of its members are not aware that the SAPS has an EHW programme, do not understand what services it provides, or do not know how to get in contact with support staff.

POPCRU further explains that current policies, such as confiscating an officer’s firearm during debriefings or psychological evaluations, can seem face-threatening, preventing individuals from seeking help – especially as participation in debriefings is voluntary. Many officers also fear that attending debriefings or evaluations will result in stigma, hamper their career progression, or jeopardise their chances of promotion.

POPCRU’s call to action

To address the situation, government must increase funding and resources for the EHWP, ensuring that all officers receive the necessary support to cope with the stress of their work.

Additionally, the union notes that debriefings should be made mandatory for all SAPS members who regularly encounter traumatic events or extreme stress, including senior officials and high-ranking executives. Likewise, debriefings should occur at least quarterly, rather than being treated as once-off events, and policies should ensure that the careers and progression of officers who attend these debriefings is not negatively influenced in any way.

“For example, by making debriefings mandatory, SAPS can better ensure that all police receive the help they need without fear of being marginalised or penalised. But it must also perform a comprehensive policy overhaul to review and remove any barriers that are deterring officers, and to encourage greater openness,” adds Nsele.

“Finally, SAPS must launch a mental health awareness campaign to educate its members on the importance of mental health and to eliminate the stigma often associated with seeking support. POPCRU is willing to partner with the police on this initiative, and to give our input and support to encourage positive change.

“Ultimately, we cannot expect our officers to effectively protect the public if they themselves are not cared for. We are committed to ensuring that the necessary reforms are made and that our officers’ well-being is protected, both physically and mentally. Healthy officers mean a stronger SAPS and a safer South Africa, he concludes.

Issued by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union