SAPS takes mental health of officers very seriously, says Mathe

The recent suicide of Anti-Gang Unit Member Sergeant Raoul Murray in Cape Town has highlighted what some say is a lack of support for the mental well-being of SAPS members.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has raised concerns about the conditions under which officers work.

It says they are often traumatic and urgent interventions are needed.

The National Police Spokesperson Athlende Mathe says they have an integrated approach to dealing with mental health issues.

Mathe says SAPS management takes the mental health of its officers very seriously. “Counselling and debriefing are available to members 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

“The SAPS health and wellness follows an integrated approach utilising psychology professionals, social workers, chaplains and medical administration practitioners to provide support for employers of the SAPS. We have proactive programmes that are presented on an ongoing basis, we have Choose Life which is a suicide prevention programme focusing on suicide warning signs, stress reaction and management and more,” she adds.

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