Mental health problem and psychological counseling in non- commissioned officer in armed policy force, nepal

Abstract

Mental health is the successful mental function to perform any activities whether the environment is complex or normal. It is directly connected with physical health because people perform their activities by the healthy mental order. If mental health is not good obviously there may be mental health problem which includes mental stress, depression, distress, disorder, illness, schizophrenia etc. A soldier’s life is exposed to various physical and mental stresses and thus becomes vulnerable with different mental health problems. The study is mainly focused on the mental health problem and psychological counseling among NCOs of APF, Nepal. The qualitative study with purposive sampling was conducted since 21 st May 2023 to 29 th May 2023 selecting 50 NCOs of APF, Nepal who are working in various units of terai districts of Koshi Province. For the research, the researcher have collected primary data through interview with open-ended questions, Key Informant Interview and Focused Group Discussion. The secondary data were also collected through various literature, then, employed narrative and thematic analysis with descriptive research approach. The finding reveals that the major causes of mental health problem among NCOs of APF due to individual behavior, discord of family relationship, extra marital affairs, alcoholic and drug abuse, social influence, meager salary, over working hours, strict barrack system, less leave facilities career issues etc. These causes are the catalyst for the mental health problems which are stress, pressure, anxiety, depression, distress, disorder, illness and chronically even suicide impacting on the working efficiency of the NCOs and overall performance of APF, Nepal. Thus, to minimize such issues APF, Nepal is conducting various psychological counseling internally. That is not enough which should be enhanced through the professional psychological counselors, barrack expert counselors and socio-psychological counseling to improve the existing situations. Keywords: Mental Health Problem, stress, depression, suicide, Psychological Counseling,