TITLE:
Operational Stress among Nepal Police Officers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
AUTHORS:
Pratibha Singh, Nabin Prasad Joshi
KEYWORDS:
Operational Stress, Nepal Police Officers, COVID-19, Pandemic
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: In this paper, the authors aimed to investigate operational stress among Nepali police officers during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kathmandu Valley experienced extreme health risks and operational work stress related to the virus. This led to a traumatic impact on psychosocial groups that performed their official duties in contact with the infected and sick, including in the gender aspect. During the COVID-19 pandemic, police officers were heavily involved in anti-epidemic measures to safeguard public safety and order. The study aims to find the operational stress of male and female police personnel. The results showed that frontline workers with a high risk of COVID-19-related illness are six times more likely to experience high levels of operational work stress. Overall, this study offers empirical proof of the detrimental effects on police frontline officers’ mental health during the pandemic of COVID-19 health risks and operational work stress. Proactive measures and resilience building through an Annual Mental Health Check-In Retreat and Research-based Mental Health First Aid Course are recommended strategies under the action plan for a Mental Health Program for the PNP in the New Normal. Strategies to improve mental health-seeking behaviors through a functional mental health surveillance system using an innovative mental health app are also recommended.