The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made a fantastic achievement by lowering its suicide rate by 40%. In 2023, there were 25 deaths, but in 2024, that number has dropped to 15. This change is significant because it means the suicide rate is now 9.8 out of every 100,000 personnel. This is the first time it has gone below the national average of 12.4, based on the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
CISF’s success in reducing suicides comes from a lot of hard work to support the mental health of its officers, called jawans. They have introduced many new ideas to help people feel better and more supported.
Better Work-Life Balance
One big step CISF took was to improve the work-life balance for its personnel. A study showed that many complaints came from workers feeling unhappy about where they were posted, which affected their personal lives. To help with this, CISF started a new policy that lets jawans choose where they want to work. This change focuses on the non-gazetted staff—making up 98% of the CISF workforce—and pays special attention to working women, married couples, and those close to retirement.
Daily Sessions for Support
Another important part of CISF’s plan is daily “briefing-debriefing” meetings. Company commanders meet with their teams every day to check in and spot any signs of stress or unhappiness. Commanding officers also visit the duty posts to message directly and support those who might be struggling.
CISF has also launched Project Mann, a mental health helpline that offers counseling 24/7. By September 2024, more than 4,200 jawans used this service, proving how valuable these resources are.
In total, there were 730 reported suicides across various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) since 2020. CISF had 105 of these cases. The highest suicide rate for the force was 18.1 per one lakh personnel in 2022. Thanks to the new measures, this rate is now down to 9.8 in 2024.
The significant drop in suicide rates shows that CISF is making real progress in supporting mental health, helping its personnel, and promoting a better work-life balance. This success can inspire other forces facing similar challenges.
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