Response from EGM to Allegations of 'Police Suicides Increased'

The General Directorate of Security (EGM) made a statement regarding the allegations that police suicides have increased recently.

In the written statement made by EGM, the following information was conveyed:

“The allegations and shared data in some media that police suicides have increased recently do not reflect the truth.

Similar allegations were brought to the agenda before, our General Directorate made a statement regarding these allegations and the measures taken in this direction were shared with the public. We would like to reiterate that the practice of subjecting all our personnel to a psychological evaluation at least once a year has been initiated. Our personnel who need mental health follow-up and treatment are supported, and all opportunities are provided for them to recover without any restrictions on their salaries and personal rights.

Guidance and Psychological Counseling Branch Directorate was established within the Central Organization of the General Directorate of Security in order to monitor all the guidance and psychological support practices in our organization more effectively and comprehensively. The number of psychologists in our organization has been increased with the intensive purchases made in 2020 and 2021. Our goal is to reach at least one psychologist per thousand staff.

The "Learn - Notice - Help Project" was launched at the beginning of 2021 with the advice and counseling of faculty members from the Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Counseling and Guidance departments of our universities. With this project, to increase the psychological well-being of our personnel, to raise awareness about guidance and psychological support practices, to make the results of the services carried out in the guidance and psychological support units measurable, to positively affect our police's family and business life, social environment harmony and relationships, stress management and communication skills. intended to contribute. As the organization, we are sensitively focused on this issue and our work continues uninterruptedly.”