To address the mental health challenges faced by officers in the course of their work, Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police has ordered that the Family Support Unit of the Nigeria Police Medical Services be expanded to cover mental health services.
This is coming after several calls by Nigerians, asking the police to conduct psychiatric evaluations on its personnel and the inclusion of mental health in police reforms.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, made this known on his official Twitter handle, where he said the IGP’s directive is to help meet the “present demands of addressing PTSD, psychopatism, suicide cases, etc. in the NPF.”
The IGP has ordered that the Family Support Unit of the NP Medical Services should be reactivated and upgraded to meet the present demands of addressing PTSD, psychopatism, suicide cases, etc. in the NPF. https://t.co/lDEPIZx6Fb
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) April 10, 2023
The PPRO added that the force is “mindful of the fact that every human being needs mental evaluation on a regular basis. The NP Health Management Office has been up and doing in addressing these mental-related issues, and this is achievable,” he said.
To address the mental health challenges faced by police officers, Nigeria's Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has mandated the expansion of the Family Support Unit within the Nigeria Police Medical Services to offer mental health services. This move follows public demands for psychiatric evaluations of police personnel and inclusion of mental health issues in police reforms.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced on Twitter that the directive aims to tackle issues like PTSD, psychopathy, and suicide within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Adejobi emphasized the importance of regular mental evaluations, noting that the NP Health Management Office is actively addressing these mental health concerns.