Growing suicides haunt Telangana police: DGP Shivadhar Reddy announces 25-point stress mapping plan

Hyderabad: Director-General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy today admitted that the rising number of suicides among police personnel in Telangana has become a serious concern.

Speaking to the media persons after unveiling the Telangana Annual Report-2025, he said excessive work pressure, combined with family, personal, and financial problems, was pushing some personnel, particularly at the constabulary level, towards extreme steps.

High-pressure policing taking a toll

The DGP said police personnel are routinely exposed to long working hours and stressful, often unpredictable situations. “When professional pressure coincides with unresolved family or personal issues, it creates immense mental strain,” he said, noting that such circumstances have contributed to a worrying rise in suicides within the force.

Department acknowledges the problem

Shivadhar Reddy said the police department has recognised the gravity of the issue and has initiated measures to identify and support personnel facing mental stress. “We are working systematically to resolve the problem through monitoring, counselling, and intervention,” he added.

25-Point stress mapping framework introduced

Additional DGPs Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat and Charu Sinha stated that a comprehensive programme with 25 stress-mapping parameters has been implemented. The framework is aimed at identifying early warning signs of psychological distress and suicidal tendencies among police personnel.

SPs, SHOs asked to intervene actively

The Additional DGPs said all Superintendents of Police have been instructed to personally engage with personnel showing signs of stress. About 750 Station House Officers across the State have also been deputed to visit the Telangana Police Headquarters, where they are being trained in basic counselling skills to support stressed personnel at the ground level.

Counselling, leave, and psychiatric care

Mahesh Bhagwat said policemen found to be under severe mental stress would be granted leave when necessary and referred to psychiatrists for professional counselling and treatment. A structured questionnaire of 25 questions will be used to assess whether an individual shows suicidal tendencies, enabling timely medical and psychological intervention.

Online betting and financial distress growing risks

Drawing attention to recent cases, Bhagwat said several suicides in the past few years involved police constables and Home Guards addicted to online betting games. Financial hardships were also cited as a major factor in some cases, including among women police personnel.

Focus on prevention and support

Senior police officials said the emphasis is now on prevention through early identification, counselling, and sustained support systems, to safeguard the mental well-being of personnel and prevent further loss of lives in the force.