When officers come home carrying the day’s trauma, families need help too, says Disu
by Juliana Francis · The Eagle OnlineThe National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Chief Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to build mental healthcare into its welfare programmes, warning that the psychological toll of policing does not end at the station gate but follows officers into their homes.
Mrs Disu appealed in a goodwill message at the Mental Health Conference Nigeria 2026, organised by Safehaven Wellness Centre.
The conference was held under the theme “From Awareness to Action: Transforming Mental Health Care in Nigeria.”
She said police officers regularly face violence, loss, uncertainty and life-threatening situations, experiences that can leave lasting psychological effects. According to her, the strain is often felt most by spouses and children, who may struggle to understand or cope with the emotional changes that come with the pressures of police service.
“Sometimes, an officer returns home physically present but emotionally absent. The day’s trauma follows them home, leaving families struggling to understand what has changed and how to help,” she said.
Mrs Disu argued that protecting police personnel must go beyond physical safety to include deliberate efforts to safeguard their mental health. She noted that healthier officers and families make for a more effective police institution.
She also stressed that family welfare should not be limited to financial and material support, but should include access to professional counselling, emotional support and appropriate mental healthcare.
The POWA president called for accessible counselling services, supportive workplace policies and institutional structures that make it easier for people to seek help. She also urged society to drop the stigma that discourages many from speaking about their struggles.
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Mrs Disu added that mental health challenges cut across all walks of life, affecting young people facing an uncertain future as well as parents dealing with personal and economic pressures. No one, she maintained, should have to reach a breaking point before getting support.
“You do not have to break before you deserve help, and you do not have to suffer in silence to prove your strength. Seeking help is not surrender; it is courage,” she said.
Reaffirming POWA’s commitment to the welfare of police families, she called on institutions, communities and stakeholders to turn mental health awareness into practical action by making care accessible and creating safe spaces where people can seek help without discrimination.
She concluded that prioritising mental health is essential not only for individual and family wellbeing but also for building stronger communities and a healthier nation.
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