AS the Fiji Police Force intensifies its fight against drugs, police mothers are facing another battle — balancing demanding frontline duties with motherhood and the risk of postpartum depression.
Speaking at a postpartum depression dialogue, police Psychologist Unit officer Litia Raiwalui said women officers were often expected to remain strong because of their frontline roles.
“Drugs, that’s the main focus right now,” she said.
Ms Raiwalui said mental health struggles had long been treated as issues to be kept private.
“This was a no-no topic.
“We don’t talk about this, we are told to be strong.”
She said police mothers could work 12-hour shifts and be deployed over weekends, adding pressure as they balanced their professional and family responsibilities.
Ms Raiwalui said postpartum depression required greater recognition within the force and officers needed better access to psychoeducation to recognise its warning signs.
“We are frontliners, so we have to be okay.”
However, she said being a frontline officer should not mean suppressing mental health struggles or challenges associated with motherhood.
Ms Raiwalui said stronger support systems were needed to help police mothers continue serving while receiving the support they needed.
She said creating an environment where officers could speak openly about their struggles was essential to ensuring their wellbeing was not sacrificed in the line of duty.
