New Delhi, August 2025: A year after the launch of Project Mann, a joint mental health initiative by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Aditya Birla Education Trust’s Mpower programme, the force has recorded a remarkable 40% drop in suicides—the lowest figure in five years.
Introduced in November 2024, Project Mann was designed to address the psychological challenges faced by security personnel working in high-stress environments. The initiative offers a comprehensive package of mental health interventions, including awareness workshops, psychometric assessments, confidential counselling, and specialised training for officers to identify and respond to early signs of distress.
According to CISF data, suicides within the force fell from 25 cases in 2023 to 15 in 2024, reducing the suicide rate from 16.9 to 9.8 per lakh personnel—well below the national average of 12.4 per lakh.
The programme has so far benefited over 75,000 personnel and their families, with 1,700 to 8,500 officers and sub-officers trained to handle low-risk cases and escalate critical situations. Additionally, psychometric screenings were carried out for 21,000 to 31,000 personnel deployed at sensitive sites, including the Parliament complex, Delhi Metro, and major airports.
CISF Director General Neena Singh credited the results to sustained awareness campaigns, regular counselling access, and a proactive approach to mental well-being. “Security forces work in demanding conditions that take a toll on mental health. Project Mann has given our personnel a safe space to speak, seek help, and receive timely care,” she said.
Mpower founder Neerja Birla said the initiative reflects the growing recognition of mental health as a core pillar of operational readiness. “Our goal was to remove stigma, build resilience, and ensure that no one suffers in silence. The results speak for themselves.”
With suicide rates now at a historic low for the force, CISF and ABET have committed to extending Project Mann to reach even more personnel and to further strengthen psychological support systems across units nationwide.
