Bipartisan bill would create mental health hotline for first responders

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — When you’re in danger, first responders are first on the scene to help. But the work brings along a lot of stress.

“It’s no surprise that the first responders face higher rates of behavioral health conditions,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said.

Gillibrand says recent studies found law enforcement and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

“This is something I think people are hearing about all across the country,” Gillibrand said.

To combat this, Gillibrand and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a bill to expand mental health services for first responders.

“This bill would provide those resources to local first responders. It would also set up a hotline where they can call if they are struggling,” Hawley said.

“So there’ll be a specific call center dedicated to first responders,” Gillibrand said.

According to Blue Help, more than 120 first responders in New York have taken their own lives since 2018. Across the country, more than 1400.

“We’ve seen suicide rates among first responders and law enforcement just skyrocket in recent years. Skyrocket,” Hawley said.

Andrea Edmiston, National Association of Police Organizations Governmental Affairs Director says there is a lack of counselors and therapists who understand the difficulties law enforcement go through. But this bill would change that.

“Individuals embedded within the organization that officers can trust that they are willing to share their experiences with, is vitally important to addressing the mental health and wellness,” Edmiston said.

Gillibrand and Hawley are confident this will pass.

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