Pathways to suicide among police in Rajasthan: perceptions and experiences of police personnel

Anne Krayer; Seema Kulhari; Vimal Sharma; Catherine Robinson

Pathways to suicide among police in Rajasthan: perceptions and experiences of police personnel

Anne Krayer, Seema Kulhari, Vimal Sharma, Catherine Robinson

School of Health Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Evidence regarding the experience and perceptions of police personnel with suicide in South Asia is limited. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of su-icide among police personnel in an Indian state. The focus was on explanations of and reasons for suicide. Methods: We conducted 20 qualitative interviews in 2021 with police of different ranks, guided by a topic guide. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was supported by the use of NVivo 12, a qualitative software package. Results: We explore three intersecting key themes around suicide in the police force, including: (1) the stressful police environment; (2) expectations of mental strength; and (3) police image and help-seeking. We discuss the tensions between these themes and how to address the challenges of supporting police personnel. Conclusion: To support and improve police personnel’s mental well-being training and support are needed but also broader changes at the organisational level. These need to take social and historical factors into account. An increased level of suicide and mental health literacy will not only benefit the police force but also the general public, and it would be very timely with recent changes in the Indian mental health and suicide policy context.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Suicide in Asia and the Pacific
Subtitle of host publication	Special Issue Reprint
Editors	Harry Minas, Erminia Colucci
Publisher	MDPI AG
Pages	90 - 101
Number of pages	128
ISBN (Electronic)	ISBN 978-3-7258-5162-1 (PDF)
ISBN (Print)	ISBN 978-3-7258-5161-4 (Hardback)
Publication status	Published - 26 Sept 2025

Keywords

suicide
self harm
police
India

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/11534-suicide-in-asia-and-the-pacificLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

1 Finished

GCRF: South Asia Self Harm research capability building Initiative (SASHI)
1/10/17 → 27/07/23
Project: Research

2 Article
1 Other report
1 Poster

Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of self-harm and suicide in low- and middle-income countries: Quantitative systematic review
McPhillips, R., Allen, R., Parvathy Ramesh, P., Barnett, K., Chadwick, H., Batool, S., Elahi, A., Hawton, K., Huxley, P., Krayer, A., Tiptur Nagaraj, M. K., Nafees, S. & Robinson, C., 12 May 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Crisis: the Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File

25 Downloads (Pure)
Police perceptions of self-harm and suicide in Rajasthan and role of current policy and guidance: A report for the Rajasthan Police Academy. Research funded by UKRI. This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [Ref: MR/P028144/2]
Kulhari, S., Krayer, A., Sharma, V. & Robinson , C., 1 Oct 2022, 29 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Collaborative qualitative research on suicide and self-harm in South Asia: a reflection on challenges and solutions
Krayer, A. & P.K., S., 17 Mar 2021.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review

1 Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups

Expert input into the development of capacity building of law enforcement personnel on suicide prevention in Pune, India (trainign materials and approaches)
Krayer, A. (Contributor), Sharma, V. (Contributor) & Robinson , C. (Contributor)
10 Mar 2025
Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups

Cite this

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title = "Pathways to suicide among police in Rajasthan: perceptions and experiences of police personnel",

abstract = "Background: Evidence regarding the experience and perceptions of police personnel with suicide in South Asia is limited. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of su-icide among police personnel in an Indian state. The focus was on explanations of and reasons for suicide. Methods: We conducted 20 qualitative interviews in 2021 with police of different ranks, guided by a topic guide. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was supported by the use of NVivo 12, a qualitative software package. Results: We explore three intersecting key themes around suicide in the police force, including: (1) the stressful police environment; (2) expectations of mental strength; and (3) police image and help-seeking. We discuss the tensions between these themes and how to address the challenges of supporting police personnel. Conclusion: To support and improve police personnel{\textquoteright}s mental well-being training and support are needed but also broader changes at the organisational level. These need to take social and historical factors into account. An increased level of suicide and mental health literacy will not only benefit the police force but also the general public, and it would be very timely with recent changes in the Indian mental health and suicide policy context.",

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N2 - Background: Evidence regarding the experience and perceptions of police personnel with suicide in South Asia is limited. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of su-icide among police personnel in an Indian state. The focus was on explanations of and reasons for suicide. Methods: We conducted 20 qualitative interviews in 2021 with police of different ranks, guided by a topic guide. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was supported by the use of NVivo 12, a qualitative software package. Results: We explore three intersecting key themes around suicide in the police force, including: (1) the stressful police environment; (2) expectations of mental strength; and (3) police image and help-seeking. We discuss the tensions between these themes and how to address the challenges of supporting police personnel. Conclusion: To support and improve police personnel’s mental well-being training and support are needed but also broader changes at the organisational level. These need to take social and historical factors into account. An increased level of suicide and mental health literacy will not only benefit the police force but also the general public, and it would be very timely with recent changes in the Indian mental health and suicide policy context.

AB - Background: Evidence regarding the experience and perceptions of police personnel with suicide in South Asia is limited. This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of su-icide among police personnel in an Indian state. The focus was on explanations of and reasons for suicide. Methods: We conducted 20 qualitative interviews in 2021 with police of different ranks, guided by a topic guide. The reflexive thematic analysis approach was supported by the use of NVivo 12, a qualitative software package. Results: We explore three intersecting key themes around suicide in the police force, including: (1) the stressful police environment; (2) expectations of mental strength; and (3) police image and help-seeking. We discuss the tensions between these themes and how to address the challenges of supporting police personnel. Conclusion: To support and improve police personnel’s mental well-being training and support are needed but also broader changes at the organisational level. These need to take social and historical factors into account. An increased level of suicide and mental health literacy will not only benefit the police force but also the general public, and it would be very timely with recent changes in the Indian mental health and suicide policy context.

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BT - Suicide in Asia and the Pacific

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Pathways to suicide among police in Rajasthan: perceptions and experiences of police personnel

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Projects

GCRF: South Asia Self Harm research capability building Initiative (SASHI)

Research output

Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of self-harm and suicide in low- and middle-income countries: Quantitative systematic review

Police perceptions of self-harm and suicide in Rajasthan and role of current policy and guidance: A report for the Rajasthan Police Academy. Research funded by UKRI. This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [Ref: MR/P028144/2]

Collaborative qualitative research on suicide and self-harm in South Asia: a reflection on challenges and solutions

Activities

Expert input into the development of capacity building of law enforcement personnel on suicide prevention in Pune, India (trainign materials and approaches)

Cite this