Grassley, Coons Reignite Effort to Bolster Mental Health Services for First Responders

Download audioHERE.
WASHINGTON– Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Committee member Chris Coons (D-Del.) are reintroducing bipartisan legislation to help enhance mental health services for first responders nationwide. TheFighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Act(S.825) would direct the Justice Department (DOJ) to develop treatment programs for police, fire, emergency medical and 911 personnel who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders. The bill unanimouslypassedthe Senate last Congress.
“Americans rely on first responders and dispatchers in times of crisis. However, first responders’ high-stakes work can quietly take a toll,”Grassley said. “Our bipartisan bill takes an essential step towards ensuring first responders in Iowa and across the country have ready access to the care they need and deserve.”
“As co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I will continue to stand behind our first responders and ensure they are supported when they sacrifice their well-being for our communities’ safety,”Coons said. “These heroic public servants in Delaware and across America suffer significantly higher rates of PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation than the general population. I’m proud to support theFighting PTSD Actbecause we cannot wait to address this crisis.”
Additional cosponsors include Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).
TheFighting PTSD Actis endorsed by Major County Sheriffs of America, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Find bill textHERE. ClickHEREto download audio of Grassley discussing the legislation.
Background:
It’s estimated 30 percent of first responders will develop a mental health condition at some point in their lives. TheFighting PTSD Actwould require the DOJ to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to establish evidence-based treatment programs for first responders across the country – similar to mental health services available to military personnel.
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