INDIANAPOLIS , Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Police officers remain at greater risk of developing serious mental health issues like Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is estimated that U.
S. officers are two to four times more likely to suffer from PTSD than the general population. Given that the law enforcement community tends to suffer in silence, these numbers may be even higher.
The First Responders Wellness Act (S.4892), introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Josh Hawley (MO) in July and since referred to the Judiciary Committee, helps address this need.
S. 4892 would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand mental health services for police officers and other first responders. The bill's text can be found here .
The foundations of the First Responders Wellness Act are: The development of professional programs that provide confidential and independent mental health services; An increase in the number of mental health providers made available; The creation of a mental health hotline dedicated to providing peer support, information, and brief intervention services. "Expanding mental health and wellness services to law enforcement officers is critical, especially at a time when they're navigating a complex landscape," said Paula Fitzsimmons , Legislative Director of the National Police Association. "Given that PTSD and other forms of mental illness can result in symptoms that impact an officer's ability to perform optimally, the t.