Assessment of Psychological Health of Police Personnel in Chhattisgarh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Law enforcement personnel working in high-stress duties are under an immense psychological burden that affects their mental health and performance. The study has explored the rates and variations in depression, anxiety, and stress among police personnel based on their gender, rank, and posting areas (urban, rural, and Naxal-affected). The sample size was 269 police personnel. Mental health status was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). Research results showed that officers indicated much higher distress than non-officers, and the staff of rural and Naxal affected areas experienced higher psychological stress than those in urban districts. Differences were not statistically significant by gender. The results stressed the significance of introducing mental health interventions to the police personnel to enhance mental health in general.