A STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH OF FEMALE POLICE CONSTABLES (WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KUMAUN REGION OF UTTARAKHAND)

Abstract

The current book, titled "A Study of Mental Health of Female Police Constables with Special Reference to Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand," is the result of an exhaustive research project conducted under the doctoral research initiative, with the objective of exploring the mental realities of an important but relatively lesser-discussed component of the law and order machinery: women police constables. While the profession of policing is widely understood to be a stressful occupation, the experiences of women in this profession, especially in regions like Kumaun, which is geographically and culturally quite unique, have not been sufficiently documented or understood. The motivation behind conducting this study is based on a profound concern for the mental state of women police personnel who work under difficult circumstances. The role of female constables in Uttarakhand is not only a physically demanding task because of the hilly and remote terrain, but it is also a socially and institutionally complex role because of gender issues. The role of police personnel, especially female constables, has been further complicated in dealing with crimes against women and children. Their own struggles remain invisible, unarticulated, and untouched. This book explores the many faceted aspects of mental health among female police constables, analyzing the interplay between occupational stress, gender-related challenges, and socio-cultural factors. The challenges of managing long working hours, lack of gender-sensitive facilities, limited psychological support, and the constant pressure of managing work and family responsibilities have been critically examined. The phenomenon of "dual role" in which a woman has to manage the role of a caregiver at home and a discipline-oriented police officer at work has been identified as a critical contributor to psychological pressure.