Judge Chifundo Kachale urges Malawi police to seek mental health support

High Court Judge Chifundo Kachale has urged male police officers in Malawi to seek mental health support and abandon the “tough-it-out” culture that prevents them from discussing stress. Speaking at the inaugural men’s conference organized by the Central West Region Police in Lilongwe, Kachale noted that officers face significant pressure from both the nature of their work and economic hardships.

Kachale encouraged officers to be emotionally open, stating, “It is OK for a man to cry.” He also advised officers to be transparent with their wives regarding their salaries to allow them to start small businesses.

During the event, mental health expert Mark Chalamanda recommended reality therapy, advising officers to focus on the present and individual strengths rather than past mistakes to cope with depression. Central West Region Police operations officer Hanleck Chingolo noted that the discussion was timely, as the stigma surrounding mental health often prevents officers from speaking out about issues that impact their personal lives and careers.