Quintana Roo Police Expand Mental Health Support as Job Stress Takes Toll

Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo — Faced with persistent stress and emotional exhaustion among its officers, the Quintana Roo Public Security Department (SSC) is strengthening its psychological care services, aiming to add more specialists and extend the support to every operational base in the state, its head Julio César Gómez said.

Gómez said the department currently has mental health specialists in Chetumal and Cancún, and that coverage needs to expand so officers can receive care at their own workplaces instead of traveling to other cities.

Through its Human Development unit, the department runs a program of periodic visits to police bases, where officers receive therapy, workshops, counseling and one-on-one attention. The support is aimed at those who need professional help coping with personal problems or situations tied to their duties.

Gómez acknowledged that stress-related exhaustion is a recurring problem among officers given the demands of daily police work, and said prevention and care mechanisms are essential to protecting their emotional stability.

He also highlighted the participation of the College of Psychologists and other organizations that run outside workshops, which he said have helped change how some officers view asking for professional help.