Chandigarh: In a major move to bolster mental health support for its personnel, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has renewed its partnership with Mpower, a mental health initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), for another three years.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. The agreement was formalized by Parveen Sheikh, President of Mpower, and Sudha Senthil, Vice President of Sanrakshika, CISF, in the presence of CISF Director General Rajwinder Singh Bhatti.
The extension follows the success of Project Mann, a groundbreaking mental health program launched in November 2024. Over the past year, the initiative has benefited more than 75,000 CISF personnel and their families by providing access to professional counselling and therapy services. The project has been widely lauded for reducing stigma around mental health within the force and encouraging open discussions on emotional well-being.
Currently, 23 Mpower counsellors and clinical psychologists are deployed across 13 CISF sectors. With the MoU extension, the number of mental health professionals will increase to 30, and the program will expand its reach to additional cities, including Patna, Ahmedabad, Prayagraj, Bhopal/Indore, Jammu, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Cochin. This expansion is aimed at ensuring that personnel in remote or high-stress postings also receive timely psychological support.
CISF officials report that Project Mann has contributed significantly to reducing absenteeism, fatigue, and long-term psychological issues while improving morale, resilience, and coping skills among the personnel. The initiative has also promoted a culture of proactive help-seeking and emotional self-care.
Speaking at the signing, CISF Director General Rajwinder Singh Bhatti emphasized the crucial role of mental well-being in the force.
“Our personnel operate under intense pressure to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure. Just as we prioritize physical fitness, their mental health is equally vital. This collaboration with Mpower ensures that CISF members and their families have continuous access to professional mental health support,” he said.
The renewed MoU marks a continued commitment by CISF to embed mental health care into its core welfare framework, setting a precedent for other paramilitary forces. With its sustained efforts, Project Mann is paving the way for a healthier and more resilient security force.
