Policewomen urged to value themselves, mental health

SELF-WORTH and self-esteem are important for personal development and organisational success, a national agency head says.
PNG Institute of Directors managing director Christine Sumbuk made the remark with regard to women on International Women’s Day (March 8) when she addressed both sworn and unsworn female personnel of the police force in the National Capital District last week.
Sumbuk said of emotional and mental states, it was important for mental health and well-being.
“I want to focus on that I, the me and the myself,” she said.
“My career in different organisations and my job as a trainer focused primarily on two things – improving and strengthening systems and processes in the workplace through which people work to get things done, and working with people to change their views on how they saw themselves and their contribution in the workplace.
“If you look at these two identifications, they are about people.
“It’s the people that make the difference in the organisation.
“Those organisations that are thriving and pushing boundaries are those that take care of its people.”
Sumbuk said that over time it was seen in both private and public sector organisations that “if you look after your people, they will look after you.
She said this did not necessarily mean financial incentives but a focus on self-development and personal growth.
“You may see it in light of empowerment because it is the people that work the system that make things happen.”
She said self-worth and self-esteem affected a worker’s productivity.
“These have a direct effect on people who then have a direct effect on systems and processes which then has a direct impact on the organisation on its output and productivity,” she said.
Sumbuk said a person with high self-worth was generally more stable and positive and had good self-esteem and this was also good at mitigating stress and emotional problems which in term had benefits with health, outlook and chances for success.
“If you have a higher self-worth, you are more likely to believe you are good, worthy, lovable, regardless of what is happening in life, even in the workplace,” she said.
“You feel deserving of love and respect from other people.”
Sumbuk encouraged the women to practice self-compassion and treat themselves with care, kindness, and respect.
She urged the women to believe in their own potential to grow, to learn, to change and to improve themselves.
She added that people with low self-esteem were less confident and had more negative thoughts and feelings about themselves, and because self-esteem involved one’s thoughts, low self-esteem could be situational or chronic.
Sumbuk said chronic low self-esteem was more likely to cause emotional and behavioural problems, adding that; “Self-esteem fluctuates more than self-worth.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration Joanne Clarkson, who was part of the celebration, thanked all women in the RPNGC for their efforts and contribution to the force and serving people.