Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Josh Hawley introduced the bipartisan First Responders Wellness Act, legislation to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders. The bill would also expand mental health services for first responders during major disasters.
“Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs face unique stressors, and as a result, they are at high risk of developing PTSD and other mental health problems,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We owe it to our first responders to do more to help. I am introducing bipartisan legislation to establish a mental health hotline specifically tailored to the needs of first responders and staffed by peer specialists and counselors who have an understanding of the occupational stressors experienced by first responders and have completed trauma-informed training. The bill would also expand professional mental health services for first responders during times of major disasters. I am proud to be introducing this legislation with Senator Hawley and hope to get it passed soon.”
“Congress should prioritize the wellbeing of those first on the scene of life’s crises. That starts with investing in the health and safety of our police officers, firefighters, and EMTs. This bipartisan legislation would provide first responders with the mental health tools they need to cope with past trauma and the resources necessary to support them in their jobs,” said Senator Hawley.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), first responders face higher rates of behavioral health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, compared to civilians. Furthermore, a study from the Ruderman Family Foundation found that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the general public, and up to a quarter of all public safety telecommunicators have symptoms of PTSD or depression.
Although first responders are trained to respond to challenging situations, the post-response mental health needs of these professionals often go unaddressed. There is a clear and distinct need for mental health professionals and services that account for the occupational culture and hazards of first responders.
The First Responders Wellness Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders. Specifically, this bill would:
- Establish a first responders mental health hotline to provide peer and emotional support, information, brief intervention, and mental or behavioral health and substance use disorder resources.
- Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit an annual report to Congress on the hotline and its implementation.
- Ensure first responders can receive professional counseling and other mental health services offered through the FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program.
- Direct HHS to issue a report on best practices and recommendations to establish a new mobile health care delivery site to provide short-term crisis services to first responders during a major disaster.
This legislation is endorsed by the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Port Authority Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics, & Fire Inspectors FDNY – Local 2507, NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA), and the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association.
“Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are often exposed to more on-the-job trauma and traumatic events in a week than most people will experience in an entire lifetime,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong. “By supporting efforts to expand access to mental health and wellness services, this legislation will provide the NYPD and other police departments with new resources to support the well-being of those who keep our communities safe. That is why we are grateful for Sen. Gillibrand and Hawley’s continued strong leadership on the ‘First Responders Wellness Act’ and working with us to ensure our nation’s police officers have access to the services they need when they need them most.”
“Law enforcement officers routinely encounter highly volatile, chaotic, and dangerous situations which put them in physical jeopardy. There is also overwhelming evidence that the cumulative and corrosive effects of the mental stresses suffered by officers in the line of duty inflict ‘invisible injuries’ which can be just as disabling—or as deadly—as any physical injury,” said Fraternal Order of Police National President, Patrick Yoes. “Too often, this unseen damage goes unaddressed. Our officers need greater access to mental health professionals and services that are culturally competent in the occupational culture and hazards of law enforcement. This legislation, the First Responders Wellness Act, would establish a grant program for law enforcement mental health and wellness professionals and establish a national mental health hotline specifically for law enforcement and other public safety officers. We look forward to working with Senators Gillibrand and Hawley in getting this bill through the Senate.”
“State and local law enforcement officers are our nation’s first responders. They respond to our country’s greatest tragedies, violent crimes, and horrible accidents that are occurring more frequently in our communities. They have seen and experienced horrors that they cannot forget, yet we still expect them each day to protect and serve our communities,” said National Association of Police Organizations Executive Director Bill Johnson. “The least we can do is ensure they have the culturally competent and accessible mental health and wellness services necessary for their wellbeing and that of their families, which is why we support the First Responders Wellness Act. NAPO thanks Senators Gillibrand and Hawley for their leadership and we look forward to working with them to pass this important bill.”
“The First Responders Wellness Act is a significant step toward addressing the mental health needs of federal law enforcement officers and other first responders,” said President Mathew Silverman of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “Senators Gillibrand and Hawley have led this initiative, working alongside FLEOA, to ensure that first responders have access to a crisis hotline staffed by professionals who truly understand their unique challenges. This effort underscores a growing recognition of the psychological toll faced by first responders and their need for tailored support systems.”
“Supporting our nation’s law enforcement means supporting them in all aspects of their wellness and health care,” said Major Cities Chief Association Executive Director Laura Cooper. “MCCA is proud to support this important bipartisan legislation that will help accomplish that critical goal.”
“The Detectives’ Endowment Association of the NYPD applauds the efforts of the sponsors of this bill to care for the mental health and safety of those, like ourselves, who are daily on the stressful and dangerous front lines of our nation’s emergency situations,” said Detectives’ Endowment Association President Scott Munro.
“First Responders see things daily that are not normal. Most of our work is dealing with crisis and negativity. We need assistance processing and dealing with the mental health issues that our jobs create,” said Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin. “I am honored to support this bill and thankful for Senator Gillibrand and Hawley’s dedication and support to our mental health and wellness.”
“The Port Authority Police Lieutenant’s Benevolent Association proudly supports the efforts of Senator Kristen Gillibrand for her sponsorship of the First Responders Wellness Act,” said Port Authority Police Department Lieutenants Benevolent Association President James Griglio. “Her collaborative efforts with Senator Josh Hawley demonstrate their selfless actions, putting the needs of first responders ahead of political agenda. Senator Gillibrand’s tireless efforts in support of this legislation will have significant impact on the health and well-being of our nation’s first responders for years to come. We sincerely thank Senators Gillibrand and Hawley for all their efforts.
###