Don’t Commit Suicide, KIA Police Officers Advised During Counselling Session

Malawi Exclusive

Officers at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) Police have been urged not to resort to suicide when faced with life challenges, but to seek spiritual and professional help.

This was during a special spiritual and counselling session conducted on Wednesday, 8th October, 2026 by the National Police Headquarters Spiritual Integrity and Counselling Branch.

The team visited KIA Police to engage officers on stress management and suicide prevention.

In her welcoming remarks, Officer In-Charge for KIA Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Thandie Mwalwenje, said she was honored to host the branch and welcomed their message of hope.

In his sermon, Sub-Inspector Felix Lombozi, the Assistant Chaplain, shared three lessons from the book of Esther Chapter 7 and urged officers to hold onto three pillars: praying for others just like Esther did, remembering those who once supported them and remaining loyal, and embracing the spirit of courage.

“A King has many wives, and it was not simple for a Queen to meet the King. Esther disobeyed all the protocols and met the King in person to save her people,” he preached.

“Let’s meet the King in person by breaking the protocols if we want to protect others in the course of discharging our duties,” Lombozi challenged the officers.

Speaking after the devotion, Rev. Senior Superintendent Julius Chikhutu Siwinda, Officer In-Charge of the Spiritual Integrity and Counselling Branch, said the branch exists not only to preach the Gospel but to offer professional counselling.

“Police Officers are human too. They can be emotionally frustrated, depressed and stressed. They need guidance, they need counselling just like any other person,” said Rev. Siwinda.

In his stress management talk, Rev. Siwinda warned officers against _Katapila_ loans, which seem simple when applying but become a heavy burden during repayment and a major source of stress.

He encouraged officers to take all stress seriously, whether from work, relationships or marriages.

He listed warning signs that should not be ignored: moodiness, loss of interest, isolation, lack of concentration, fatigue, low energy, negative thoughts, hopelessness, changes in appetite, and lack of sleep. For married officers, he noted, stress can affect intimacy. Anger is another major sign.

“If stress persists, depression is created. Once depressed, you experience continuous headaches and stomach pains. For those who drink beer, they can drink the whole day and night non-stop. And if not controlled, the victim becomes violent. This abusive behaviour is very unfortunate for police officers and very dangerous,” he warned.

He concluded with encouragement from 1 Samuel 30:6, Psalms 38:4, 1 Kings 19:4 and Matthew 26:38.

At the end of the program, every officer at KIA Police was given a copy of the Holy Bible to nourish their spiritual life.

Rev. Siwinda reminded officers that help is always available – through chaplains, commanders, and fellow officers. No one should suffer in silence.