The Osun State Police Command has organised a mental health awareness lecture for its officers to promote psychological well-being, emotional resilience and effective service delivery.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday to commemorate World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10.

According to the statement, the lecture was organised to sensitise officers to the importance of mental health, considering the demanding nature of police duties, including exposure to stressful situations, security challenges and emergency responses.

Speaking at the programme, the Head of the Police Hospital, Osun State Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dr) Iyiola Ogundimite, said the initiative was designed to encourage officers to prioritise their mental well-being and seek professional support when necessary.

She stressed that good mental health was essential for sound judgment, professionalism, effective decision-making and respectful engagement with members of the public.

The guest lecturer, psychiatrist Dr T. Ayantola of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, highlighted the importance of stress management, adequate rest, healthy relationships, peer support and early identification of psychological distress.

Officers were also encouraged to support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges, avoid stigmatising them and seek assistance from qualified professionals when necessary.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Zungura, described mental health as an important component of police welfare.

He noted that officers who were mentally and emotionally healthy were better equipped to perform their constitutional duties effectively while respecting the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Zungura urged officers to adopt healthy coping strategies and maintain a proper work-life balance.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of its personnel to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.