Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study
- 1Department of Public Health, Amrita School of Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Abstract
Introduction: Although police personnel are exposed to substantial occupational stress and Kerala has one of the highest suicide rates in India, evidence on suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in the state remains limited. This study estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior and identified their associated factors among police personnel in Kerala, India.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 police personnel (mean age 37.94 years; 81% men), from Civil Police Officers (CPOs) to Inspectors, recruited from 15 police stations in Ernakulam and Malappuram districts of Kerala using a multistage cluster sampling approach. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior during the past 12 months were assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), with the reference period adapted to the past 12 months. Survey-weighted generalised linear models with a Poisson distribution and log link were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior.
Results: The survey-weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 9.39% ( n = 36; 95% CI: 6.18–14.01%), while 4.11% ( n = 14; 95% CI: 1.68–9.70%) reported suicidal behavior during the past 12 months. Actual suicide attempts were reported by 1.47% ( n = 6; 95% CI: 0.66–3.25%). Among participants with suicidal ideation, 13.56% ( n = 6) reported active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and intent. A higher prevalence of suicidal ideation was observed among participants aged >36 years (aPR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.31–6.38), CPOs (aPR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.59–3.37), those working >12 h per day (aPR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.65), those with a previous psychiatric illness (aPR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.19–2.35), and those reporting workplace violence or harassment (aPR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.11–9.04). A higher prevalence of suicidal behavior was observed among participants with >15 years of service (aPR: 13.82; 95% CI: 5.00–38.19), CPOs (aPR: 12.32; 95% CI: 6.12–24.80), those with a previous psychiatric illness (aPR: 5.94; 95% CI: 2.58–13.66), and those reporting workplace violence or harassment (aPR: 13.81; 95% CI: 2.71–70.34).
Conclusion: Nearly one in ten police personnel reported suicidal ideation and approximately one in twenty-five reported suicidal behavior during the past 12 months. The findings highlight the need for workplace mental health strategies addressing occupational stressors and improving access to confidential mental health support among police personnel.
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BibTeX
@article{sasi2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study}},
author = {Adithya Sasi and Rashita Ravi and Jeby Jose Olickal and Kavumpurathu Raman Thankappan},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949658},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949658/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study
AU - Adithya Sasi
AU - Rashita Ravi
AU - Jeby Jose Olickal
AU - Kavumpurathu Raman Thankappan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949658
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949658/full
AB - Introduction: Although police personnel are exposed to substantial occupational stress and Kerala has one of the highest suicide rates in India, evidence on suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior among police personnel in the state remains limited. This study estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior and identified their associated factors among police personnel in Kerala, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 police personnel (mean age 37.94 years; 81% men), from Civil Police Officers (CPOs) to Inspectors, recruited from 15 police stations in Ernakulam and Malappuram districts of Kerala using a multistage cluster sampling approach. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior during the past 12 months were assessed using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), with the reference period adapted to the past 12 months. Survey-weighted generalised linear models with a Poisson distribution and log link were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. Results: The survey-weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 9.39% ( n = 36; 95% CI: 6.18–14.01%), while 4.11% ( n = 14; 95% CI: 1.68–9.70%) reported suicidal behavior during the past 12 months. Actual suicide attempts were reported by 1.47% ( n = 6; 95% CI: 0.66–3.25%). Among participants with suicidal ideation, 13.56% ( n = 6) reported active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and intent. A higher prevalence of suicidal ideation was observed among participants aged >36 years (aPR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.31–6.38), CPOs (aPR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.59–3.37), those working >12 h per day (aPR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.65), those with a previous psychiatric illness (aPR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.19–2.35), and those reporting workplace violence or harassment (aPR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.11–9.04). A higher prevalence of suicidal behavior was observed among participants with >15 years of service (aPR: 13.82; 95% CI: 5.00–38.19), CPOs (aPR: 12.32; 95% CI: 6.12–24.80), those with a previous psychiatric illness (aPR: 5.94; 95% CI: 2.58–13.66), and those reporting workplace violence or harassment (aPR: 13.81; 95% CI: 2.71–70.34). Conclusion: Nearly one in ten police personnel reported suicidal ideation and approximately one in twenty-five reported suicidal behavior during the past 12 months. The findings highlight the need for workplace mental health strategies addressing occupational stressors and improving access to confidential mental health support among police personnel.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -