First Responders, Such As Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Services Personnel And Public Safety Telecommunicators, Face Higher Rates Of PTSD Than Civilians
Bill Would Also Establish A National Mental Health Hotline For First Responders
Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the bipartisan First Responders Wellness Act, legislation that would establish a grant program to expand culturally competent and professional mental health services for law enforcement officers. The bill would also establish a national mental health hotline for first responders.
“Our first responders put themselves in extremely challenging and life-threatening situations in order to keep us safe. Unfortunately, it takes a toll; first responders face higher rates of PTSD and suicide compared to the civilian population,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must support the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting ours. The bipartisan First Responders Wellness Act would create a new grant program to provide professional and culturally competent mental health services to law enforcement officers and establish a mental health hotline for the first responder community. I’m proud to work with Senator Hawley on this important legislation and look forward to getting it across the finish line.”
“I’m proud to partner with Senator Gillibrand on another piece of vital legislation. Our first responders put their lives on the line every day for us. The least we can do is support them in the halls of Congress,” 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 post-traumatic stress disorder 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 establish a new grant program for law enforcement mental health and wellness professionals and direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders. Specifically, this bill would:
- Amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to carry out a mental health service professional demonstration program to provide culturally competent, confidential, and independent mental health services to law enforcement officers.
- Increase the number of culturally competent mental health service providers available to law enforcement officers.
- 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.
“There is no question that federal, state, and local law enforcement officers perform one of the most difficult jobs in the United States today, one that frequently places them in harm’s way to protect their fellow citizens and communities and where they are frequently exposed to on-the-job trauma and traumatic events,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong.“That is why we are proud to support the ‘First Responders Wellness Act,’ which recognizes both the critical need to improve access to quality mental health and wellness services for our nation’s law enforcement officers and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing the unseen psychological and mental health impacts of public safety work. We are grateful for the leadership of Sens. Gillibrand and Hawley on this important legislation and look forward to working with them to ensure it is swiftly signed into law.”
“The introduction of the ‘First Responders Wellness Act’ marks a pivotal moment for federal law enforcement officers and all first responders,” said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National President Mathew Silverman. “By creating programs to develop culturally competent mental health counselors and peer support specialists, we address a critical gap in the mental health resources available to those who serve on the front lines. The leadership of Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Josh Hawley in this initiative, along with the collaborative efforts of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, ensures that first responders will have access to a crisis hotline staffed by individuals who truly understand their experiences and needs.”
“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.”
“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.”
“The Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association proudly acknowledges Senator Kristen Gillibrand for her sponsorship of the First Responders Wellness Act. If successful, 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. With sincere appreciation, the Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association recognizes this vital legislation and the protection it will provide for those first responders experiencing stress and mental fatigue. The legislation’s grant program will establish a national mental health hotline for law enforcement and other public safety officers, as well as provide access to mental health and wellness professionals. We look forward to collaborating with Senators Gillibrand and Hawley in getting this bill through the Senate,” said Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association President James Griglio.
Supporting organizations include the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), New York State Police Investigators Association, National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Port Authority Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Nassau County Police Department Superior Officers Association, and Detectives’ Endowment Association, Inc.