The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, has called for the integration of mental healthcare into police welfare programmes, emphasizing that the psychological demands of policing often extend beyond officers to their families.
She made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the Mental Health Conference Nigeria 2026, organised by Safehaven Wellness Centre, under the theme, “From Awareness to Action: Transforming Mental Health Care in Nigeria.”
Mrs. Disu observed that police officers routinely encounter violence, loss, uncertainty and life-threatening situations in the course of their duties, experiences that can leave lasting psychological effects even after they return home.
She noted that the impact is often felt within the family, where spouses and children may struggle to understand or cope with the emotional changes resulting from the pressures of police service.
“Sometimes, an officer returns home physically present but emotionally absent. The day’s trauma follows them home, leaving families struggling to understand what has changed and how to help,” she said.
According to her, protecting police personnel must go beyond physical safety and include deliberate efforts to safeguard their mental health, recognising that healthier officers and families contribute to a more effective police institution.
The POWA President also stressed that family welfare should not be restricted to financial and material assistance but must incorporate access to professional counselling, emotional support and appropriate mental healthcare.
She called for accessible counselling services, supportive workplace policies and institutional structures that make seeking mental health assistance easier, while urging society to abandon the stigma that often discourages people from speaking about their struggles.
Disu emphasised that mental health concerns affect people across all walks of life, from young people facing uncertainty to parents dealing with personal and economic pressures. She maintained that no one should have to reach a breaking point before receiving the support they need.
“You do not have to break before you deserve help, and you do not have to suffer in silence to prove your strength. Seeking help is not surrender; it is courage,” she stated.
Reaffirming POWA’s commitment to the welfare of police families, she called on institutions, communities and stakeholders to translate mental health awareness into practical interventions that make care accessible and create safe environments for people to seek help without discrimination.
She concluded that prioritising mental health was essential not only to individual and family wellbeing but also to building stronger communities and a healthier nation.