By Erik Bascome
Staten Island Advance
WASHINGTON — The millions of first responders who risk their lives to serve their communities could soon receive additional help in handling the mental health challenges that often accompany their high-stress jobs.
On Tuesday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the First Responders Wellness Act, a bipartisan bill to expand the mental health services available to our nation’s first responders.
“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. We owe it to our first responders to do more to help,” said Gillibrand.
The bill, if passed, will establish a dedicated first responders mental health hotline to provide peer and emotional support, information, brief intervention, and mental or behavioral health and substance use resources.
First responders face higher rates of mental health challenges like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to civilians, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) notes that these challenges can lead to suicidal thoughts among first responders.
“First responders may be at elevated risk for suicide because of the environments in which they work, their culture, and stress, both occupational and personal,” according to the CDC . “Law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Furthermore, EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public.”
Additional aspects of the legislation would bolster the mental health services available to first responders in the wake of major disasters, which can be traumatic for those on the ground.
First responders would be able to receive professional counseling and other mental health services offered through the FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would also need 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.
“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 Hawley.
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