Goodwyl Omondi
Kenya
As a police officer with over a decade of experience in the Service, having served in rural and urban settings in Kenya, I have a solid understanding of how this career can expose one to mental health issues.
My interest in the wellness of communities didn't begin when I joined the National Police Service; it started when I was young. I grew up in the Coastal part of Kenya, where I developed the urge, passion, and interest to help others. Societal issues such as poverty, crime, and unemployment were common as I grew up, and these issues had a profound impact on one’s mental health. It's pretty traumatising growing up with the uncertainty of lacking. Wellness became important to me because of what I experienced growing up and more when I became a police officer. Most of these challenges often lead to emotional struggles that no one talks about.
For these reasons, I pursued initiatives that could bring change to my community right after high school. I became an active participant in promoting HIV awareness as a peer educator in Mombasa, as this is another issue propagating mental health problems. Interacting with those affected further forged my desire to be on the frontline of wellness initiatives.
In 2011, I joined the Kenya Police Service. The discipline service is a platform for bringing real, lasting change in my family and community. It allowed me to serve my country and secure the stability I needed to further my education.
Joining the police didn't change my interests in the slightest. I was committed to the job, but every day at work was an awakening call. As much as we are trained and mentally prepared for the job, everyday tasks and interactions affect our mental health. Responding to violent domestic issues, witnessing the aftermath of accidents, and dealing with people in crisis are just a few examples of the daily situations that chip away at my mental well-being.
I lost colleagues to banditry attacks and organised gang groups. These issues affected my mental health and those of my fellow officers. In November 2012, for example, we lost 42 police officers to the Baragoi massacre. This was one of the most devastating scenes. You can imagine how these challenges can affect even the most equipped officer, not to mention how the personnel are cared for after each horrid experience.
Mental health care was in its infancy in the Police Service at the time, and this was a significant concern. There was no clear system for psychological debriefing even after incidents. A prevailing culture of silence persisted, with officers expected to endure, stay strong, and carry on with their duties. As a result, many officers were uncomfortable conversing about what they went through. It was hard for those struggling to come forward.
I realised the Police Service desperately needed mental health care initiatives. Remember, these were the people we counted on in times of crime, violence, accidents, and many other demanding commitments. If they were not well taken care of, society was at risk. After a few months of first-hand experience and deep soul-searching, I decided to pursue a degree in counselling psychology, and that's how my journey to becoming a police mental health champion began. Taking further studies was the most significant step in my journey because it gave me the tools to battle the monster facing us.
For me, this counselling career was a calling. I wanted to help, and specifically, I wanted to leverage my skills for the betterment of each police officer. Having been in the field, I recognised the immense sacrifices that police officers made. I understood the challenges they faced at work and in their homes because, in most setups, we lived as a community.
My goals were to offer psychoeducation to help officers recognise and manage stress and trauma, encourage open conversations, and reduce the stigma around seeking help. I also aimed to advocate for mental health programs and workshops tailored to officers' challenges. With my counselling skills, I wanted to support officers struggling with emotional burdens and create a culture where their mental well-being was a priority.
This awareness fueled my strong passion for advocating for officer wellness. I knew that paying attention to officers’ mental health was key to making the Police Service stronger and more resilient. When officers are struggling with trauma and stress, it affects their decision-making, emotional control, and behaviour. This leads to tragic outcomes like suicide, substance abuse, desertion from duty, problems like misconduct, excessive force, and tense relations with the community. When mental health issues are ignored, the Police Service becomes less effective at keeping the public safe.
To address this, I envisioned a system where mental health resources were integrated into the Police Service. This includes accessible counselling, regular mental health check-ups, and peer support networks to ensure officers feel supported. Training on stress management, trauma recognition, and emotional well-being should be mandatory. This way, we can improve officers' resilience, reduce burnout, and help them maintain a healthier work-life balance, ultimately benefiting the officers and the communities they serve.
The benefits of taking care of officers' well-being are huge. It means less stress, less burnout, and fewer incidents of misconduct. Officers feel supported, which improves their morale and strengthens their relationship with the public. When officers know they can reach out for help without stigma, it creates a healthier work environment.
Promoting mental health initiatives within the Service is key to breaking the stigma that still surrounds mental health. This can be done by making mental wellness a regular part of police life. For example, introducing mandatory mental health training on managing stress and trauma for all officers, regular workshops, peer support groups, and easily accessible counselling services would make it easier for officers to get the help they need without feeling weak or failing.
Changing the culture of the Police Service is also crucial. Senior officers need to set the tone by talking openly about mental health, showing that it's okay to ask for help. When the leadership models this, it sends a powerful message that mental health is just as important as physical health. The government can also play a big part by providing the funding and support needed to create these resources. Policies must reflect that mental health is a priority, ensuring officers have the support they need to stay mentally healthy.
I dream of a Police Service where mental health is just as important as physical health, where officers are supported and equipped to cope and thrive. A mental health Service can genuinely live up to the Kenya Police Service's vision of being a world-class police service with a professional, responsive, and people-friendly workforce. When officers are mentally well, they can do their jobs with greater focus, care, and effectiveness, which benefits everyone—the community, the officers themselves, and the Service.
As I look forward to my leadership journey, I want to be part of that change. I want to lead by example, creating an environment where mental health is discussed openly and supported at all levels. I plan to introduce programs that provide real, lasting support for officers so they feel valued, seen, and heard. I aim to help build a culture where officers can be at their best professionally and personally. In doing so, the Police Service will become stronger, more connected, and better able to serve the public.