Interdisciplinary measures to prevent suicidal behavior among the presonnel of the internal affairs bodies

Professional activities of employees of the Internal Affairs Bodies (IAB) are associated with increased stress which affects their emotional state, reduces the psychological resources and may have serious consequences for mental health including the risk of suicide. Development of suicidal behavior in police officers is a result of a complex interaction of social, personal and occupational factors. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Russia prioritizes promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illnesses. Thus, it is necessary to develop complex measures for early detection of deviations in the state of mental health of IAB employees associated with the risk for suicidal behavior. The aim of the study is the methodological substantiation and systematization of modern trends in the organization of interdisciplinary interaction for prevention of suicidal behavior in the Internal Affairs Bodies. Methods. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory documentation of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on the reorganization of medical, psychiatric and psychological services for the employees. Results. Prevention of suicidal behavior in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has two levels: 1) implementation of measures for the professional psychological selection of candidates for police services. 2) annual medical examinations and psychological services for the employees. Organizational and methodological measures aimed at the interaction of medical, psychological, personnel services and educational organizations of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on prevention of suicidal behavior are proposed. A unified mechanism for monitoring of the state of mental health of employees has been developed using departmental electronic digital resources. Conclusion: to improve the effectiveness of the measures directed at prevention of suicide among police officers, it is necessary to take organizational and methodological measures aimed at systematizing interdisciplinary interaction with a consistent differentiation of services and specialists' functions and improving the regulatory and methodological basis to ensure the activities of specialists in the field of mental health.

employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, suicidal behavior, prevention