Hawley introduces legislation to boost mental health resources for first responders

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan First Responders Wellness Act. The bill would establish a new grant program to boost mental health and wellness resources for law enforcement. It would also direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders experiencing a crisis or in need of help.

 “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 Josh Hawley.

“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 Kirsten 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.”

First responders—including our men and women in blue, firefighters, EMS personnel, and public safety telecommunicators—face higher rates of PTSD than civilians. To address this, the First Responders Wellness Act would:

• Amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to develop a professional program to provide confidential and independent mental health services to law enforcement officers.
• Increase the number of 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.