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.
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.
“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.
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