On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, the officer expressed that it was particularly distressing to see young and middle-aged constables taking their own lives after falling into debt through online betting. In the two cases, some personnel had sold land, borrowed money from friends and colleagues or taken loans at high interest rates, he said.
The DGP said mounting pressure from creditors demanding repayment had caused severe mental stress among some personnel. The situation was aggravated when they concealed their financial difficulties and debts from their spouses and other family members. The officer urged personnel to discuss their financial problems with their families rather than attempting to deal with debt on their own. He also asked those facing difficulties to approach their senior officers and seek solutions.
The department was paying special attention to issues faced by its personnel, he said, while urging them to guard against online betting, online gaming and other addictive or harmful habits. In a special appeal to the 93,000 personnel of the Telangana Police Department, Mr. Anand asked them not to resort to suicide as a way out of financial or personal problems. He cautioned them against alcohol, drugs and marijuana and urged them to stay away from other social vices.
He appealed to the personnel to consider the impact of such a decision on their spouses, children and parents who depended on them. He urged them to face difficulties with courage, share their problems with their families and colleagues and seek timely help instead of taking the extreme step.