A wave of suicides among Indonesia’s National Police officers has cast a stark light on a deepening mental health crisis within the institution. Since the start of 2025, five officers have taken their own lives, a troubling figure that surpasses the rate recorded in the early months of previous years. Advocates and observers are now sounding the alarm over inadequate support systems, intense workplace pressures, and a pervasive lack of awareness about mental health issues within the force. The most recent incidents, occurring within weeks of each other, have unfolded across the archipelago, from Lampung to South Sulawesi. On Monday, Chief Brigadier HS, stationed at East Teluk Betung Sub-Precinct in Bandar Lampung City, was found dead in his home in what authorities suspect was a suicide. That same day, in a separate incident, Second Adjutant AM of the Sinjai Police in South Sulawesi died after ingesting glass cleaning solution while being transported for questioning by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on allegations of drug abuse. BNN official Senior Commissioner Ardiansyah recounted the harrowing moment when AM began vomiting and later admitted to consuming the toxic substance, though efforts to save him at a hospital in Bulukumba Regency proved futile.
These tragedies follow three other suicides in January alone. On 27 January, Brigadier JFS, a 43-year-old officer at Harian Police Station in Samosir Regency, North Sumatra, was discovered hanging in his office by his wife. Earlier, on 13 January, Second Brigadier AA, aged 25, was found deceased under similar circumstances at Dairi Police Station. The year began with Brigadier EA of Way Kanan Police in Lampung taking his life in front of his wife on 7 January. Investigations into each case are ongoing, but the pattern is unmistakable—and deeply concerning.
A Clear and Troubling Trend
Sugeng Teguh Santoso, head of Indonesian Police Watch (IPW), has described the situation as a “mental health crisis” within the National Police. Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, he noted that the five suicides in just over a month mark a sharp rise compared to previous years. “We recorded nine officer suicides in all of 2024, which was already a significant increase from three in 2023. But to see five in the first month of this year is alarming,” Sugeng said. He highlighted that most of those affected are lower-ranking officers, who often face intense pressures from superiors, career stagnation, internal competition, and financial struggles. These stressors, compounded by a lack of institutional support for mental health, create a toxic environment where despair can take root. Sugeng’s assessment points to systemic issues: an ingrained culture that stigmatises mental health challenges and fails to provide accessible resources or training to address them. 
Systemic Failures and Stigma
The National Police, tasked with maintaining law and order in a nation of over 270 million people, operates under significant strain. Officers often work long hours in high-stress environments, dealing with everything from violent crime to public unrest. For lower-ranking personnel, the hierarchical nature of the force can exacerbate feelings of powerlessness, as they navigate rigid command structures and limited avenues for promotion or redress. Mental health remains a taboo subject in many Indonesian institutions, including the police. Officers who struggle with anxiety, depression, or trauma may fear being perceived as weak or unfit for duty if they seek help. There is little evidence of comprehensive mental health programmes within the force, such as regular counselling, stress management training, or confidential support hotlines. Without these mechanisms, officers are often left to cope alone, with devastating consequences. Of the suicides, all are men, which coincides with a global trend of men taking their lives owing to grief, conflict, workplace stress, financial pressures and unresolved familial issues.
The case of Second Adjutant AM, who took his life while under investigation for alleged drug abuse, raises additional questions about the intersection of mental health and disciplinary processes. While the specifics of his situation remain under review, the incident suggests that the pressure of legal scrutiny, combined with a lack of emotional support, may have contributed to his tragic decision. If confirmed, this could point to a broader need for reform in how the force handles internal investigations, ensuring that officers facing allegations are not left isolated or unsupported.
A Call for Reform
The rising toll of officer suicides has prompted calls for urgent action. Advocacy groups like IPW argue that the National Police must prioritise mental health as a core component of officer welfare. This could include mandatory psychological evaluations, peer support networks, and training for senior officers to recognise signs of distress among their subordinates. Additionally, destigmatising mental health issues through awareness campaigns could encourage officers to seek help without fear of repercussions. There are also broader societal implications. The mental well-being of police officers directly impacts public safety. Officers grappling with untreated mental health issues may be less equipped to handle high-pressure situations, potentially leading to errors in judgement or excessive use of force. If reforms are implemented effectively, they could not only save lives within the force but also improve community trust in law enforcement—a critical issue in a country where police conduct has often faced scrutiny. However, such changes face significant hurdles. Budget constraints, bureaucratic inertia, and cultural resistance within the institution may slow progress. While the National Police has not issued an official statement on the recent suicides, public pressure could force leadership to address the crisis more openly. Whether this will translate into meaningful policy shifts remains uncertain, as past promises of reform have often fallen short of implementation.
A Broader Context
Indonesia is not alone in grappling with mental health challenges within its security forces. Across South East Asia, and indeed across the world, police and military personnel often face similar issues, from overwork to trauma exposure, with varying levels of institutional response. In Thailand, for instance, reports of stress-related incidents among police have led to pilot programmes for mental health support, though scalability remains a challenge. Comparing these regional efforts could offer valuable lessons for Indonesia as it seeks to address its own crisis. For now, the families of the five officers lost this year are left to mourn, while their colleagues carry on under the same pressures. The National Police stands at a crossroads: it can continue to ignore the warning signs, risking further tragedy, or it can confront the mental health crisis head-on with bold, compassionate reforms. The stakes could not be higher—not just for the force, but for the society it serves.
As Sugeng Teguh Santoso warned, “This is not just about numbers; it’s about lives. If the institution doesn’t act now, we will only see more pain.” His words are a sobering reminder that behind every statistic is a human story, and the time for change is long overdue.
