High Court Judge of Malawi Chifundo Kachale has asked male police officers to stop pretending that everything is fine but rather seek mental health support.
He made the call at Area 3 police offices in Lilongwe on Monday during the inaugural men’s conference organised by Central West Region Police and attended by male police officers from across Lilongwe.
Said Kachale: “You are exposed to stress due to the nature of your job and economic pressures, but you do not talk about it openly due to the tough-it-out police culture.
“But mental health struggles know no boundaries and professions. Do not pretend that you are OK. Speak out. Cry out. It is OK for a man to cry just as Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus and over Jerusalem. So, cry it out and even talk to your most trusted friend.”
Kachale also asked the officers to be open to their wives and disclose their salary to them and give them chance to start small businesses.
Mental health expert Mark Chalamanda advised the officers not to focus on their past but instead on the present and future.
He said: “Reality therapy tells us to dwell much more on the present, not drawing from our past mistakes. In so doing, you will cope with depression.
“When you face life’s stresses, just focus on your individual strengths and positives.”
Pastor Reuben Chilera advised the officers not to fall into the trap of Jezebel, saying extra marital affairs invite unnecessary stresses into any man’s life.
Central West Region Police operations officer Hanleck Chingolo said the mental health talk was timely.
“Our officers go through a lot of issues which take a significant toll not only on their individual lives but also on their career. Unfortunately they do not speak out due to stigma,” he said.
