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Over 35,000 Personnel Reached Under Ayurveda Project, But Structural Issues Persist
Anytime News Network | Pooja Srivastava
The growing mental health crisis among police personnel has once again come into focus, as a public health initiative by the All India Institute of Ayurveda highlights the scale of the problem. The project has reached 35,704 police personnel, underlining the widespread stress within the force.
Launched during the pandemic, the initiative aimed to address stress through Ayurveda-based interventions. However, the numbers reveal a deeper concern—7,752 personnel were screened across 206 camps, and 1,843 required treatment for stress-related conditions, including hypertension.
Prof. Pradeep Kumar Prajapati emphasized that mental health is fundamental to both individual well-being and societal functioning. Yet, the question remains whether awareness programs alone can address such a systemic issue.
Led by Dr. Medha Kulkarni and Dr. Meena Devgade, the initiative includes a mobile application and therapies like Shirodhara. While innovative, experts argue that these measures may not fully tackle root causes such as long working hours, high-risk duties, and lack of institutional support.
Atul Katiyar acknowledged the benefits of Ayurveda, but ground realities suggest that police personnel continue to operate under extreme stress.
Experts warn that unless structural reforms—such as improved working conditions, better staffing, and access to professional psychological care—are implemented, such initiatives may offer only limited relief.
