The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made significant progress in reducing its suicide rate among its personnel, achieving a 40% drop in 2024. The rate decreased to 9.87 suicides per lakh, compared to 16.98 per lakh in 2023.
This marks the first time in five years that the CISF personnel’s suicide rate has fallen below the national average of 12.4 per lakh, which was recorded in 2022.
The CISF, one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is tasked with securing critical infrastructure across India, including airports, nuclear installations, power plants, space establishments, and the Delhi Metro.
In 2024, the CISF reported 15 suicide cases, a sharp decrease from 25 in 2023 and 26 in 2022. This decline reflects the effectiveness of the mental health initiatives and stress management programs the CISF has implemented for its personnel.
These initiatives include an online grievance portal, a mental health study in partnership with AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), and a new posting policy aimed at reducing stress.
The CISF has emphasised that the improvement is part of its ongoing commitment to addressing the mental health challenges within its ranks, with a focus on the well-being of its personnel.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in a response to Parliament, revealed that across various CAPFs, the total number of suicides in the past five years was 730, with the number fluctuating between 134 and 157 suicides each year.
The study conducted in collaboration with AIIMS identified several factors contributing to suicides, including poor emotional support, marital issues, financial problems, and the isolation caused by modern family structures and communication technology.
(With an ANI input)
