Cyprus police address mental health following tragic incident

Over the past five years, 114 members of the Cyprus Police have sought professional psychological support to manage stress and trauma. This data was provided by Minister of Justice Costas Fytiris in response to a parliamentary inquiry by DISY Member of Parliament Nikos Georgiou. The inquiry was prompted by a tragic incident in Limassol on June 30, where a police constable died by suicide after fatally shooting his wife. Colleagues who arrived at the scene were unaware of the victim's identity, highlighting the severe emotional toll police work can take.

Minister Fytiris stated that the force’s Human Resources Support Branch, located within the Human Resources Directorate, is responsible for the mental wellbeing of its officers. The branch is currently staffed by two registered psychologists. Their mandate focuses on prevention, resilience building, and stress management through training seminars and workshops. While the official department manages internal support, the minister acknowledged that many other officers seek assistance from private medical practitioners due to the frequent exposure to traumatic scenes and human suffering encountered during their duties.